Converting Microsoft Access to MySQL: Database Tools

Converting Microsoft Access to MySQL: Database Tools

Learn how to move data from a Microsoft Access database to a MySQL database using free tools and step-by-step instructions.

Both Microsoft Access and MySQL provide database management systems that are widely used in many companies, though for different reasons. The main advantage of Microsoft Access is its relative ease of use, while MySQL's strength lies in its versatility. MySQL allows it to work in conjunction with programs written in various languages, as well as with Access itself. It supports multi-user access, simplifies the management of large databases, provides increased security, and streamlines backup management. In addition, the MySQL database software is provided free of charge. To migrate from an Access database to MySQL, we can use a free program called DBTools, which features a tool to directly import data from Access files.

Here is how to convert Access data to MySQL:

1. Install and configure MySQL, or obtain the necessary information to access a pre-existing server.
2. Visit DBTools Software and download the installer for the demo of DBTools QueryIT.
   
3. If you are using Access 2000, go to the Tools > References menu option and click the "Microsoft DAO 3.6 Object Library" option in the dialog box.
4. Enable DAO (Data Access Objects) by launching DBTools, selecting Options > Preferences, and choosing the DAO 3.6 option. While you do not need to know the inner workings of DAO, omitting this step will cause the program to crash.
5. Quit and relaunch DBTools.
6. Establish a connection to your MySQL server by clicking the server icon on the toolbar or going to Server > Add Server to create a new connection profile.
7. After establishing a connection, use the Import Data Wizard to browse for the Access file you want to use.
8. Select the version of Access in which the file was created, as prompted.
9. If you would like to use Access as a front end, open the database from Access and remove the transferred tables. Using Access as a front end simply means using the Access interface while having the actual data stored in MySQL tables.
10. Download the MySQL Connector ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) driver from the MySQL website. An ODBC driver allows you to create a connection between two or more databases.
11. Run the installer to install the driver.
12. Open the Windows Control Panel, where you should now see an icon named either ODBC or Data Sources. Double-click it to open the ODBC Data Source Administrator.
13. With the User DSN tab selected, click Add. The DSN (Data Source Name) contains data source information that allows the driver to communicate with the target database.
14. Select MySQL ODBC 3.51 Driver from the list of drivers and click Finish.
15. Fill out the form to create a data source name, which you will use to refer to the database.
16. Click Test Data Source to ensure you have entered your login information correctly.
17. Click OK to create the DSN.
18. In Access, click File > Get External Data.
19. Choose ODBC Databases() from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the file browser, and select your DSN from the list of Machine Data Sources. You will then see a list of all the tables in your MySQL database. Select the table you want to link and click OK.
20. You will be prompted to select a unique record identifier (such as an ID number unique to each record). This step is very important.
21. You can now access your linked MySQL database through Access. This means your data is stored securely in MySQL tables, but you can still retrieve and work with it using the Access interface just as you did before the migration.