CODEWITHSUNDEEP
ms-accesssql-server-ce
WestAce
WestAce

Reputation: 940

Is it possible to use SQL Server Compact as a backend for MS Access?

I am looking to create an Access application with occasionally connected online sync functionality. The idea is to use SQL Server Compact as a backend locally, then use a program to sync that to a server-side SQL Server. I can't find enough definitive evidence that you can't do that. Can you use SQL Server Compact as a backend for an MS Access application?

Upvotes: 0

Views: 666

Answers (3)

Joel Coehoorn
Joel Coehoorn

Reputation: 416131

Your best option here is probably Sql Server LocalDB.

LocalDB uses the same data types and formats as full Sql Server, and the engine even relies on libraries built for full Sql Server. But unlike regular Sql Server Express Edition, it does not run as a service, even when your main app is not running, and the installation deployment story is a bit easier, too.

On the Access side, you can setup an ODBC connection to create Linked Tables for use in your application, very similar to how you would with Sql Server Express Edition.

Upvotes: 2

Gustav
Gustav

Reputation: 56016

You can do that via ADO as described here.

But as you wish to replicate the data, it would be much simpler to use SQL Server Express as it can be set up right away as a replication subscriber to a database published by your server-side SQL Server.

Upvotes: 1

ErikEJ
ErikEJ

Reputation: 41819

No, it is not possible, you should use SQL Server Express - what prevents you from doing that?

Upvotes: 1

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