How can MS Access use a MySQL database as the backend?

This question arose while I was presenting a beginner's training in MySQL. It is very simple to accomplish this, but the answer is not one word, or one sentence. I will try to summarize below.

The technology used is ODBC (Open Database Connectivity)  - read about this for better understanding.

Assuming that you already have MS Access and MySQL installed on your computer, then do the following:

1. Install the MySQL ODBC driver - straightforward installation
2. Create the database with tables in MySQL - the normal way databases are created
3. In MS Access, setup ODBC driver to communicate with the MySQL database - simply using External data / ODBC database
4. Create your user interface (forms) in MS Access - as you always do! Only that this time the tables will be in a linked MySQL database.

In 4 simple steps, you are home and dry. With this setup, you benefit from the robust and stable engine of MySQL database management system, while you also retain the simplicity of forms design in Access.

Multi-user access to your database on a network will no longer suffer from the drawbacks of an Access database.

Remember also that this principle applies to any ODBC-compliant database management system (DBMS) - which most DBMSs are. In fact, ODBC drivers exist for most DBMSs, including Oracle, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, etc.

If you are interested in further details, read, read and read ... OR simply contact me. As easy as 123.