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OS X Database software?

anonymust

anonymust

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 20, 2010
41
0
in a house
So uhm..... I spent like 2 weeks creating a well designed databse in MS Access (on a windows desktop)..

And now I find out that MS Access isnt on OSX!

How on earth do I now view, insert and edit my database on OS X?
 
anonymust said:
So uhm..... I spent like 2 weeks creating a well designed databse in MS Access (on a windows desktop)..

And now I find out that MS Access isnt on OSX!

How on earth do I now view, insert and edit my database on OS X?
Click to expand...

You will need to get a database designed for multiplatforms. I'd suggest using Filemaker Pro.
 
There's always Oo.o

A lot of people poo-poo OpenOffice.org's Base component, but it's the most Access-like database product available for the Mac. A couple of big issues make it a no-go for me (like absolutely NO macro-building as in Access), but it's worth a look.
 
Open Office and Libre Office are free so its easy enough to download them and test your database. When I tried opening some Access databases I ended up with nothing but queries.

Also, Filemaker Pro may not do what you need as people often underestimate Access capabilities. I ended up buying Windows 8 to run Access on my mac.
 
Filemaker is the daddy of database programs, you can easily transfer the data from access to Filemaker using a .csv or .dbf file.
 
FileMaker is nice for designing applications around data, but its doesn't do what Access does. There is no real query design environment where you link tables to do advanced querying. You can filter data easily in FM, but you can't manipulate large tables using advanced queries like in Access or other DB's.

When I switched to Mac I started using FM but found it woefully deficient for my needs. I crunch a lot of data and need a tool like Access. If you do too, I recommend virtualizing windows with Parallels and buying a copy of Access.
 
It would be useful to know more

As mentioned by JoeRito, if your DB is for data crunching rather than for yourself to work with perhaps to derive some data for analysis or research then FileMaker is probably less useful than say 4D or mySQL for instance. However if you are looking to create a solution for repetitive data entry and report generation (e.g. Invoices, stock lists and form letters) then Fikemaker is very likely to fit the bill.

Nearly all of the possibilities are available for trial periods at no cost.

HTH

SS
 
Last edited:
Just tried OpenOffice... not a great alternative..... (Im too used to Access....)

I think i will install Windows XP on a virtual machine and run it.
 
anonymust said:
Just tried OpenOffice... not a great alternative..... (Im too used to Access....)

I think i will install Windows XP on a virtual machine and run it.
Click to expand...

WinXP is on the way out of support, so given it's mid-2013, most around here I'm sure would strongly suggest you bite the bullet and go Win8 or the very least Win7 as the VM. Longer usable lifespan, and Access shouldn't have any problem with either of Win7/8.
 
As far as I can see Oracle DB is available for OSX.
How much more of a DB can anybody need?
 
Wando64 said:
As far as I can see Oracle DB is available for OSX.
How much more of a DB can anybody need?
Click to expand...

There is a thing called too much power. Oracle databases are enterprise solutions, the OP is looking for a single user type database. I work on Oracle databases and I don't see it as a viable solution for a consumer looking for small database program.

OP, the makers of FileMaker offer Bento a very simple database program, easier to use then FileMaker Pro (and less features) but it may be good enough.

I agree there's no equal counterpart to MS Access.

The other option is run Access within a Windows VM (such as Vmware Fusion or Parallels).
 
I run Access 2010 on my Mac Mini via CrossOver12.

This program does not require installing any derivative of the the WindowsOS.

You can download a free evaluation trial of CrossOver12 from Codeweavers.

http://www.codeweavers.com

Alternatively, you can install the freely available VirtualBox and then install your existing WindowsOS on top of that before then installing Access.

https://www.virtualbox.org
 
maflynn said:
OP, the makers of FileMaker offer Bento a very simple database program, easier to use then FileMaker Pro (and less features) but it may be good enough.

I agree there's no equal counterpart to MS Access.

The other option is run Access within a Windows VM (such as Vmware Fusion or Parallels).
Click to expand...

FYI, FileMaker just announced that they are ceasing support and sales of Bento. FileMaker Pro is the only product that they will be supporting going forward. If you still want to buy Bento, get it before they stop sales in September.
 
jschmidt1340 said:
FYI, FileMaker just announced that they are ceasing support and sales of Bento. FileMaker Pro is the only product that they will be supporting going forward. If you still want to buy Bento, get it before they stop sales in September.
Click to expand...

Shocking but I guess I really shouldn't be. It was very limited in features. I'm actually moving up to FP12 though I'm holding off on purchasing as I wonder if FileMaker Pro 13 is coming close to being released.
 
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