Preparatory Steps for Migrating 32-bit Microsoft Access Application to Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express Backend

Something I had to do recently, so notes follow.

  1. Install Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express.
  2. Install 32-bit version of Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable (if you are using older office, use 2010 version of database engine redistributable). If you are getting an error, that Office 16 Click-to-Run Extensibility Component 64-bit Registration prevents 32-bit Office installation – follow these steps.
  3. Install 32-bit version of Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access.
  4. Install SQL Server Management Studio.
  5. Create a new database and add users using SQL Server Management Studio.
  6. Run Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access, do a migration (do not migrate queries) and relink tables to use a new SQL Server database.
  7. Note the errors in converting tables.
  8. And the hard part: fix your Access frontend.

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