Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Convert Access Database (ACCDB) to EXE


So today we will be learning how to convert an access database to windows executable format... For that, we should first know what a database really is.

Database is a collection of data, which can be collected using an interface, made in Office Access.

The problem is usually that when we create one, it remains in the ACCDB form, which is an editable one, i.e. one can edit the elements of your database, and use them as their own... But none of us wants that...


I searched over the internet, methods for converting the access database (ACCDB) to EXE, an executable form, but what all did was that they did convert the database into EXE, but it still ran in MS Access.

So, I figured out a way to make an uneditable form of the currently present Database (ACCDB) to a format ACCDE, which cannot be edited, and then making an installation package for ACCDE, which will install the ACCDE in the Program Files of the user's computer. 

The following conditions should be met before continuing with the process:
  1. MS Access 2010/2007 installed
  2. Inno Setup Compiler installed (Can be downloaded for free here)
  3. A license file in .txt format (if you want it)
  4. An icon file in the format .ico, needed for the installation file
The method was an easy one, which is shown below in the video. Using that, anyone can convert and protect their own databases, which can be used, but not copied. 



I hope you learned much from the video... But after all this, I have found one drawback of the ACCDE file, which is that an ACCDE file created in 64-Bit version of MS Access will not work with 32-Bit versions of MS Office/Access, whereas vice versa is also applicable. So a solution to this problem is that you can label the specific databases as ACCDE (32-Bit) (made in 32-Bit versions of Office), and ACCDE 64-Bit, made in 64-Bit versions of Office.

Have a nice day...
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23 comments:

  1. Unknown23 September 2012 at 05:16

    جزاك الله خيرا .. رائع .. كنت بدور عليها بقالي كتير

    ReplyDelete
  2. ez22 November 2012 at 04:36

    After you create EXE and install it as a application in windows, do you need to have a office installed on that computer in order to run it? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdullah Gulraiz10 December 2012 at 06:32

      Yes, because only Office Access has all the modules that need to run the database... But still, you will get your database converted to uneditable exe format...!

      Delete
  3. Abdullah Gulraiz10 December 2012 at 06:32

    Thankyou brother...!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Farooq Ahmad3 February 2013 at 12:57

    How do i make a 30-days trial version EXE(installer) from ACCDE using inno setup compiler.

    Regards,
    Farooq Ahmad

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdullah Gulraiz20 March 2013 at 03:08

      You'll have to learn some inno coding...
      For that, I recommend that you take a look at their official website:

      http://www.jrsoftware.org/isinfo.php

      They have techniques on making custom installers. For other options, you can use InstallShield Wizard instead of Inno Setup Compiler for making your setup files...!

      Delete
  5. Gani27 March 2013 at 12:12

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown19 April 2013 at 07:35

    hey bro i am doing a database somewhat like you have shown in the vid "tuition classes"...can u please send me that database if u can, because i am stuck with mine and so that i could use yours as a reference ! thanks in advance bro

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdullah Gulraiz25 July 2013 at 09:59

      I lost my previous database due to hard disk corruption. A new student database is in works... once i make it, surely i will email it to you...

      Delete
  7. Unknown28 May 2013 at 00:55

    Dear Sir,

    I have prepared a database but unable to make setup file if can you help me for make setup file, i'll send to you database file.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdullah Gulraiz25 July 2013 at 10:00

      The video was made to fulfill the same requirement. Download Inno Setup Compiler, convert your database to ACCDE, and try again, step by step watching my video. If it still doesnt work, then i can help u with it...

      Delete
  8. Unknown21 July 2013 at 03:33

    Hello Sir,

    I am new to access. I have been given this task to enter student database. Which I am creating in Excel. But I want to create it same as you have done for Match class database. Can you please send me the files or created forms or exe software that you already have made in my email. I will try to make one like this, but in the mean time can I use your's one with little bit of modifications. I shall be very thankful to you. my email address is sarabjit.bhatia@gmail.com. If you think you can not send it, then please let me know how to do this. I have already created tables and started filling data in access. But i am doing this in tables. If I could have your help then it will be very easy for me to enter the entire student data in one day. Please advice.


    Thanks and regards

    Sarabjit Singh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdullah Gulraiz25 July 2013 at 10:03

      Hi Sarabjit.

      It seems that you are facing problems making a database. I lost the database i worked with above. The same database is in process these days. Once i create it, i can email it to you. Meanwhile, i will also try to put access tutorials on my blog so that you can learn MS Access.

      Regards

      Delete
  9. Anonymous23 August 2013 at 11:44

    There is no point of doin this. The file is still dependent on MS Access (Full Version) or MS Access Runtime. Its a sort of misleading when you say convert accde to exe when it is only a setup program that simply placing the database inside the Program Files or where ever you have set it to. It would be wonderful if the said EXE is a standalone converted portable application that can be carried anywhere inside your flash drive without having to install.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdullah Gulraiz17 November 2013 at 00:22

      I get your point brother. But for that the entire database would have to be created in VB6 or any other programming language. Its impossible to entirely convert an access database to an exe which will run in the Windows Runtime Environment. The method I have told above is for people who have created a database in access, and want to publish their database in a format that looks pretty much like the exe ones. This will make them feel as professional as other programmers... :)

      Delete
  10. Unknown27 October 2013 at 18:35

    buenas noches, tengo una pregunta, necesito como decompilar un archivo accdr, agradezco mucho su colaboracion ya que no he conseguido respuesta de esto...gracias

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdullah Gulraiz17 November 2013 at 00:27

      hola hermano. no hay una manera correcta de hacerlo, como Microsoft Access no permite. Pero si quieres que mal, usted puede ir a http://www.everythingaccess.com y pedirles que descompilar el archivo para usted. Leí esta sugerencia en un foro, y quería que lo supieras por si acaso. Por favor, perdóname por mi pobre español, como solía Google Translate para comprender y escribir el comentario de nuevo para usted!

      Delete
  11. Anonymous28 November 2013 at 11:54

    Lamentablemente en access 2010 no puedo hacer lo que hago en 2007.
    Tendre que hacer mi setup en 2007,

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous12 July 2014 at 06:25

    Hi,

    After following the steps in video, i was able to achieve what i want but when i open the database it wont allow me to edit or type records. Its say the file was open in ready-only. Please, what do i do?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amila Prasanna11 September 2014 at 03:51

    Thanx for soft

    can you please send me a copy of your student database.i cant imagine about some fetures.i can use your one as a exsample

    amilapunk@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown4 January 2015 at 10:58

    I try to do it. All things the best, but Faced the problem that yellow message bar shown "READ ONLY This database has opened read only. you can only change data in linked tables. to make design changes,save a copy of the data bases. with save as bottom... please How i can hide or prevent this message bar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abdullah Gulraiz28 March 2015 at 01:14

      This is because you are finalizing the database to run on any computer, and for that you cannot change the structure of the database. You can only modify the data. If you want to modify the structure, save the database as accdb instead.

      Delete

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