I work in an enviroment that using access. I have them export each of the tables into excel files and then I import the excel files into filemaker and make my own data base. I usually get three different excel files which link together in my filemaker program. That means that I make 3 different tables in Filemaker. It is very easy to import and then link. The trick is that each time there are changes, I have to remember to import only the changes into each of the tables that I formed with filemaker. I have gotten it down to a science after many mistakes but it is possible. Also if you access has certain forms, I do not believe you will get the forms but you have to set them up yourself. Susan On Sat, Jan 15, 2011 at 6:19 PM, Bob Stern <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > jem cabanes wrote: >> >> I'm at a loss as how to open msoft Access files with some Mac equivalent >> application (AppleWorks, Bento). >> >> But how to export the data of a file that can't be opened? >> > > > FileMaker cannot import from Access. This includes all versions of > FileMaker from version 7 to the present. Nor can any other Mac program that > I know of. > > You say it would be impractical to export it to Excel or tab-delimited > format, but you should explain whether this is a one-time project or whether > you need continuous access to a database whose contents change over time. > > Also, you didn't explain whether the Access database has more than one > table, i.e., whether it is a relational database. That would complicate > matters considerably if you need the data from more than one table. > > As someone else suggested, the most straightforward solution would be to > install Access and Windows using emulator software such as Boot Camp, VMware > Fusion, Parallels, Darwine, or Crossover. You can get Windows XP relatively > cheaply. Find out what version of Access what used, and install that > version yourself to ensure compatibility. > -- > > Bob Stern >