Migrating from Access 2010 to OpenOffice - 2 questions

[Anthraquinone]

Hi.

I am getting a new windows PC and am thinking about changing to Open Office. Everything looks easy except the Access databases I have. I am no database expert although somewhat computer literate. I have two questions that I hope someone can answer for me.

1) The access databases are in accdb format. OpenOffice will not open these but it appears that I can convert these to ODBC and then open these in OpenOffice. Is this the way to do it. Will I have to recreate all the forms, subforms, queries and reports.

I cannot try this at present as my windows user account has lost all admin privileges and I cannot use and admin type commands or install / delete programs. - It a long story.

2) In Access if I try to add an image to a form that database size balloons - I think as the images are stored in the database as bitmaps even if I add them as jpegs. I have some VBA code that provides a work round by reading each image into the appropriate form as it is required. I like this solution and it works very well. There are several hundred records each with a different large image (jpeg format at present but could be changed). How does OpenOffice handle this problem ?

Thanks AQ

[DACM]

1) Will I have to recreate all the forms, subforms, queries and reports.

Yes, all front-end components must be re-created in Base.

• See:
  [Tutorial] MS Access and OOo Base
  MSA-Base Faq

2) ...if I try to add an image to a form that database size balloons... How does OpenOffice handle this problem ?

No need for a macro. You can store the image files in a subfolder, external to the database, while using an 'Image Control' on a Form to display the image.

• See:
  [Tutorial] Pictures in Base

...

[Anthraquinone]

Thanks. When I get my new PC up and running of my current one fixed I will look at open office it sound a good option

AQ