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The Access Runtime: Sharing with Users Who Don't Have Access

The free Access Runtime lets someone open, use, and interact with a finished database, without the ability to change its design and without buying Access themselves.

Field Notes: Using a Database Without Owning Access

Not everyone who needs to use a finished database will have a full, paid copy of Access installed. Microsoft offers a free program called the Access Runtime, which lets someone open, use, and interact with an existing database — entering data, running queries, printing reports — but without the ability to change any of its underlying design, and without needing to buy Access themselves. Download the free Access Runtime matching the target version and bit-width, install it on the end user's computer, and give them your database file — ideally an ACCDE file, for extra protection. Double-clicking it will then open using the Runtime automatically.

More lessons in Microsoft Access · Next: Best Practices for Naming and Organizing Objects · Previous: Using Built-In Templates

Field Notes: Using a Database Without Owning Access

Not everyone who needs to use a finished database will have a full, paid copy of Access installed. Microsoft offers a free program called the Access Runtime, which lets someone open, use, and interact with an existing database — entering data, running queries, printing reports — but without the ability to change any of its underlying design, and without needing to buy Access themselves. Download the free Access Runtime matching the target version and bit-width, install it on the end user's computer, and give them your database file — ideally an ACCDE file, for extra protection. Double-clicking it will then open using the Runtime automatically.