Access Form and Database Code Generators & Conversion Software
Initially written February 14, 2005
Updated June 5, 2005
Updated October 14, 2007
Updated November 26, 2007
Executive Summary:
The most functional software for converting Access forms and providing a full functioned web application was #2 – Microtools’ Access Wiz - MS Access to .NET Converter $149. This is primarily due to its forms conversion capability. However one must be able to test and debug and where necessary make modifications to the converted code for Add, change & Delete functionality and likely other changes. In my opinion you need to be a programmer and willing to dig into VB code in a .NET environment.
Another choice is #3 below, ATAF Database to web
application converter - $30. It does
not actually convert Access forms.
It is limited in the type of forms generated, only single data column
forms. However it did automatically
produce a full application with menu, lists and a/c/d capabilities. I used it to build two straightforward
applications.
Another choice
approximately equivalent to ATAF is Access2ASP, #19 below, - $99.
It seems to create a similar app to that of ATAF. Between the two, I prefer ATAF for the
variety and structure of forms it creates.
Next possibility
would be Raptier, #1 below. It
also creates a full web application but only provides data in grid format.
Finally, for a do it yourself person, see Convert Access Tables Into ASP Web Pages by Danny Lesandrini
#18 below. This article and download has basic code for
web pages that connect to an Access database. Mr. Lesandrini has plans for additional
articles.
http://www.sharppower.com/Default.aspx?path=products/home
The generated grids have a standard line for additions.
To edit, click on the edit symbol in the left side of the row.
Tables have built in paging and are sortable by any column (features of the grid object)
After the code is generated it prompts you to import it into VS.NET and make two changes:
1) Set Web UI as the startup project
2) Set default.htm as the start page
File – Open Solution – the file is in c:\mydocuments
It creates the project as a subdirectory under the webroot.
3) Results easily imported into Visual Studio .NET 2003
1) Does not convert Access Forms!
2) Did not support my ODBC access to Access databases (per error there is another one supported)
I tried to use a predefined System DSN
“Cannot create a new project with the following connection string:
Provider=MSDASQL.1;Persist Security Info=False;Data Source=UWayHWSW.
The .Net Framework Data Provider for OLEDB (System.Data.OleDb) does not support
the Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers (MSDASQL). Use the .Net Framework
Data Provider for ODBC (System.Data.Odbc).”
2)ANETVB - Microtools Access Wiz - MS Access to .NET Converter – by Microtools –
Free trial that works with Northwind Access database only
Easy and straightforward to run. Generates code quickly.
10/24/2007: I don’t think you have to do this anymore: Note after code generation you must compile the code using VB. I used Microsoft Visual Studio .Net 2003
The vendor site says (my highlighting):
Throughout all my trials the vendor has provided very
good, responsive support via email!!!
I think this product would require a programmer willing
to dig in and learn about VB and VB.NET.
10/24/2007:
Vendor recently confirmed that, especially for testing the code the
generator produces for add/change/delete logic.
10/24/2007: Vendor said newest version generates grid based forms also which apparently have fully operative add/change/delete logic
1) DOES CONVERT Access Forms! Basic forms have built in database access and paging.
2) Edits made on
the form do work but you must
3) Converted dropdown listboxes correctly.
6)
Very good, responsive support via email!!!
3)
Reports are not
converted. Neither are Modules nor
Macros
4) Some forms did not convert at all . Examples
Review
Products list under Suppliers
Add
products button under Supplies
Did
not display the .doc file for Products of the Month under Orders
5)
Build errors in Visual Studio .NET when Modules are
converted.
10/24/2007 – vendor wrote: “You don't have to be a .NET programmer. You just need to test the converted
pages. It will show the runtime error in the bottom of the web page if there is
any problem to update/add/delete. It's time for you to learn more about .NET if
you go from Access to .NET. One can just use those editable grid view and
detail view pages that ANETVB generates for table record
update/delete/add.”
“One can take a
look at the converted code and test them form by form. You have to know how to
debug the converted code otherwise you will need to hire a .net programmer to
convert your projects.”
3) ATAF
Database to web application converter $35
http://www.ataf.biz/design/ataf/ataf.asp
4)Refactor Express Service – NetEdge – Expensive – approx $100-200 PER FORM!
http://www.netedgesoftware.com/proof_irie.asp
http://refactor.netedgesoftware.com/RefactorExpress/default.aspx
Converts MS Access forms
to .NET in minutesConclusion: Did not pursue due to high cost.
5) Application generator for MS SQL Server 12/19/2003 - johnshear...@aol.com - (201 665 8906)
Could not locate the software or the author.
My Conclusion: Software is not available.
6)Microsoft Access 2003 to Visual Basic 6 Object Converter – Irie Software - $200-250
This is an add-in for Access and it is run from within Access.
Be sure to get the right evaluation version as Access 2003 is different from 2002/XP.
Is focused on converting Access to VB6.
7)Evolution Access to VB.NET Converter –ver 1.2XP - $125 –
Free trial version limited to converting sample DB
http://www.evolutionsoft.co.uk/
Does not appear to be web oriented.
Conclusion: Vendor confirmed this product converts to .NET Windows only
http://www.programmersheaven.com/zone28/cat1022/27448.htm
Not clear if it converts Access Forms or not.
My conclusion: Expensive and not as functional as the Microtools product.
9)Access to ASP.NET ver 1.0 – Sehman – limited time, fully functional free trial
http://www.sehman.com/products.html
The www.sehman.com site does not seem to be alive. Web site down ?????????????
As noted by one reviewer, the generated code seems to have the form name modified:
Frm_xxxxxx becomes frmfrm_xxxxxxx
http://www.simtel.net/product.php[id]722[sekid]0[SiteID]simtel.net
My conclusion: Converts to VB5 not internet/web
11)My Generation Code Generator – FREE
http://www.mygenerationsoftware.com/Default.aspx
I just don’t think this is on target
1/25/2005 sent email to vendor asking if it creates web apps
Vendor says it creates anything…..
12) Caspio – Web forms & Apps in Front Page
http://www.caspio.com/a/v4/default399.asp
http://www.caspio.com/products/hosted_pricing.asp
$ 50 – $300 per month based on data storage, number of pages and access volume.
For 10 pages min monthly is $50 per month
Entreprise (installed at your site)
http://www.caspio.com/products/enterprise_pricing.asp
$4500 - $14,000 based on number of servers and processors per server.
My conclusion: Quite expensive!!
http://www.webservertalk.com/archive134-2004-4-183905.html
http://www.eazycode.com/Features.htm
Vs.net 2003 compatible version
Does not support Access for generation.
ONLY supports Windows.NET code!!!!!
14) VB Net Maker 1 $100 – fully functional trial version
http://www.azurit2010.com/index.html
Can’t figure out how to run the resultant code.
Can’t figure out how to contact the vendor. No forum or support options.
http://www.soft32.com/download_10694.html
Couldn’t figure out how to make it work…….
16) DeKlarit 3.0 RC $899 for license
17)Code Charge Studio ver.3 20 day free trial
Personal edition – limited 1 DB connection and 100 pages – no VB.net:
$199.95 perpetual license – one user – this version has no web reporting
Studio edition: no limit on DB connections or pages; includes VB.net
$499.95 perpetual license – one user
http://www.yessoftware.com/index2.php
Seems to have limited generation from databases. Does not convert forms, just builds generic forms.
Seems more of a development environment.
18) Convert Access Tables Into ASP Web Pages by Danny Lesandrini FREE
http://www.databasejournal.com/features/msaccess/article.php/3487741
Seems like an alternative to ATAF.
http://www.data-conversions.net/products.php?prod_num=0&&dest=MENU&&ID=1
Requires MySQL and PHP, both of which are free.
Converts your Access data to MySQL and creates forms using PHP.
As of this writing I am still having problems getting the software to write out the PHP forms.
However, email support has been quite responsive.
Worked with the vendor late last night. Still cannot get the software to write the PHP code out. But the programmer showed me where the code is built. I copied it to the final location but still could not get it to work.
10/15/2007 –
Trying again to get the demo to work.
Have new
Vendor has online forum so posted to see if anyone is successfully using the product. After three different times of trying to get it to work, and with excellent support of the vendor I now have it working.
It does not convert queries. Forms based on queries will not work.
It does not convert macros or event handler code.
I am not sure and have asked clarification but it appears that it does not provide add/change /delete logic. This is a major limitation in capability!!!!!
Vendor plans to add record insert capability.
21)
Bunkerhill Conversion Solutions – MS
Access Forms to ASP >NET Forms
http://bunkerhill.com/Solutions/Access2ASP.php
Pricing $5,000 or more.
Also do full conversions for you.
10/15/2007 – Vendor has removed their product from the
market. They are re-writing the project
to be fully
22) Iron Speed Pricing
- see below
More of a development environment that a converter. Does not convert Access forms.
10/15/2007 – Tested out the software and am very impressed. While it does not convert Access forms, it does seem to do a nice job of creating various kinds of forms based on
Access tables. And the software had built in editing capabilities. One posting on their forum explains how to use drag-n-drop and similar visual tools to allow fields to be placed in other locations on the page.
As a general development environment that creates web pages from an Access database but does not convert web forms, I would rate it #1.
Pricing currently: Free version, professional – from $595 and enterprise – from $1995
http://www.ironspeed.com/products/Pricing.aspx
23) MS Access Forms Converter - 75 euro
No free trial. No examples on the
web site.
Says it handles
tab controls and form/subform
7/2/2006 Sent
vendor some questions
10/15/2007: Web site is no longer valid for this software.
24) ASP/PHP Web Application Builder 7.1 - $129 or $795 for Premium edition
http://www.citybusinesslogic.com/
7/2/2006 Sent vendor some questions
10/15/2007: new web site
Not impressed with the demo systems on their site.
25)
Evolution 1.0 $125
http://www.evolutionsoft.co.uk/about.htm
Uses grids. Other products better.
26)
ASP Maker 5
http://www.hkvstore.com/aspmaker/
Appears not convert
forms.
27)
Codejay
Not clear what it
does. Appears to be some kind of helper modules.
28) Code Starter $69
Grids
Individual records all in a single column of a table.
Similar to ATAF and others.
29) Ross
Group Access Conversion Tool 11/26/2006
– Ross Group has pulled the product from the market
http://www.rossgroupinc.com/readweb.asp?wid=3344
As of 10/14/2005: Pricing is
currently set at:
$300-
for 100 forms or less-one time use.
$1000-
for unlimited forms-one time use.
$5000-
for unlimited use and unlimited forms.
They do not presently have but plan to have a downloadable trial.
In response to my question about their pricing and some other specific
questions, below is their reply:
Bob,
Our software is priced based on the market. Based on
the overall development reduction capabilities, we feel the overall investment
is well worth the cost. Ross Group, being a development company, searched
for various products like the one we developed, but we could not find one
to our standards. That drove us to develop our own tool that we could
further develop to our standards. This is a fairly new product that has
been developed by Ross Group and we are currently ramping up all our efforts to
take it to market. Our goal is to begin distributing the
tool and take that income to further develop the tool to even a higher
standard. At this point, Ross Group has not discovered a tool in the
market comparable to ours. We are also in talks with Infragistics to
package their software with ours to completely offer a full solution. At
the moment, due to various legal and proprietary reasons, we cannot offer a
trial and do not have an ETA determined for when one will be available. I
can tell you that is a goal we plan to accomplish in the near
future. Inquires have come from all over the world including Europe,
India, and even Australia so currently we are aligning ourselves for the global
marketplace, but we are not quite there yet.
Here are the answers to your questions:
VBA code in forms?
Yes, we comment out the code. We recommend a manual write of all the
actual code behind, but we will convert it and comment it out for you.
However, there is some reusability in the vba code that is converted.
Tab controls in forms?
Yes, we are currently working on this piece and should have it done
shortly. We do not foresee any problems here.
subforms?
Yes.
Are the forms reproduced with
controls located anywhere on the page (I think so based on the one form shot on
your web site)?
Yes, they are positioned in the same location that access would
place them at.
Forms using memo fields?
Yes.
Forms using memo fields?
Yes, most button menu driving will function, but there are some locations that
will not. If a button has to go through several layers to launch
a form, it may not.
Please contact me with any further questions.
Thanks,
Brian A. Osborne
Business Development Manager
Ross Group Inc
Phone-
1-800-810-2696 Ext. 113
Cell-
937-750-5566
Fax-
937-431-5214
11/26/2006 – Ross Group has pulled
the product from the market and do not plan to complete development of the new
product.
30) Article on using ASP to connect to, display,
add, change and delete data in an Access database
http://www.webwizguide.com/kb/asp_tutorials/default.asp
31)
32)
1.
Other Related
Software
Extreme Web Reports
Extremeease.com
This product has been discontinued. Looked like a great idea.
Keywords: Microsoft Access Database Jet
Internet Web conversion converter
Software Utility Tool