Microsoft Access on Mac: 5 Ways That Actually Work (2026)

How to Run Microsoft Access on a Mac (5 Solutions Tested)

Microsoft Access has existed since 1992. In all that time, Microsoft has never made a Mac version. Not once.

This isn’t an oversight. Microsoft’s position has been consistent: Access is a Windows tool, and the resources required to rebuild it for Mac aren’t justified by the demand. Most enterprise database work, in their view, should move to SQL Server, Azure, or SharePoint instead.

The problem is that millions of business workflows run on Access. Forms, reports, linked tables, macros, VBA procedures, relational databases built over 20 years - none of that migrates to “use SharePoint instead” in any easy way. And the person trying to access those databases on a Mac doesn’t have the time or authority to rebuild the whole thing.

Here are the five options that actually work.

Option 1: Run Access in Parallels Desktop (Full Version, Best Compatibility)

The only way to run Microsoft Access itself on a Mac is in a Windows virtual machine. Parallels is the best way to do that.

This gives you the complete Access application - full database design, forms, reports, queries, VBA, linked tables, everything. There’s no compatibility gap. If the Access database works on a Windows PC, it works in Parallels on your Mac.

Setup is the same as any other Windows app in Parallels: install Parallels, install Windows, install Microsoft 365 (which includes Access) inside Windows. Access is included in Microsoft 365 Business Standard and higher.

Best for: Anyone who needs to use Access databases regularly, work with complex Access front-ends, or modify existing databases.

Option 2: Use the Web Version of Your Access App (If It Has One)

Some Access databases have been published to SharePoint using Access Services, making them available as web apps. If your organization has published their Access application this way, you can use it from any browser on Mac.

This is not common. Most Access deployments are desktop-only. But it’s worth checking with your IT team whether a web version exists.

Best for: Users whose organization has deployed Access web apps via SharePoint.

Option 3: Remote Desktop Into a Windows PC

If your company has Windows machines or a Windows server, you can access Access remotely via Microsoft Remote Desktop (free Mac app from the App Store). The Access application runs on the Windows machine; you’re just viewing and controlling it from your Mac.

This requires a Windows machine somewhere to connect to - either in your office, on your company’s VPN, or a cloud Windows instance (Azure Virtual Desktop, Amazon WorkSpaces, etc.).

Best for: Enterprise users with access to company Windows servers or remote desktop infrastructure.

Option 4: Use a Mac Database Tool That Opens Access Files

A few Mac applications can open and read Access .accdb and .mdb files:

• MDB Explorer (Mac App Store, paid) - reads Access databases, lets you view tables and export data
• TablePlus (Mac, free tier available) - can connect to Access databases with an ODBC driver

The limitation: These tools read the data but won’t run Access forms, reports, or VBA. They’re useful for extracting data from an old Access database, not for running an Access application.

Best for: Someone who needs to view or export data from an existing Access database, not run the full application.

Option 5: Migrate the Database to a Mac-Compatible Platform

If you own the Access database and the goal is to eventually not need Windows for it, migration is an option:

• FileMaker Pro (now Claris FileMaker) - similar relational database and forms tool, Mac-native
• LibreOffice Base - free, open source, can import some Access database structures
• Airtable - cloud-based, no Access import, but viable for simpler database needs
• PostgreSQL or SQLite - if your Access database is primarily data (without complex forms/reports), moving the data to a SQL database and rebuilding the front-end in a Mac tool is a longer-term path

Best for: Organizations willing to invest in migration away from Access.

The Bottom Line

For most people reading this: Parallels is the answer. It’s the only option that gives you complete Access functionality on a Mac without IT involvement, remote connections, or rebuilding your database from scratch. Install Parallels, install Windows 11, install Microsoft 365 - and Access works exactly as it does on a PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Microsoft Access for Mac? No. Microsoft Access has never had a Mac version and has no announced plans for one.

Can I open Access files (.accdb) on a Mac? You can view the raw data using tools like MDB Explorer or TablePlus with an ODBC driver. You cannot run Access forms, reports, or VBA macros using Mac-only tools.

Does Microsoft 365 for Mac include Access? No. Microsoft 365 for Mac includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams - but not Access. Access is a Windows-only component of Microsoft 365.

Can I run Access on an M1/M2/M3/M4 Mac? Yes, through Parallels. Parallels runs Windows 11 ARM on all M-chip Macs, and Access runs inside that Windows environment.

Is Access still relevant in 2026? Yes, in many small and midsize businesses. Microsoft has made noise about migrating Access users to other tools, but Access remains in Microsoft 365 and receives updates. Many organizations have significant databases and workflows built in Access that aren’t going anywhere.