Migrating MS Access DB to Libre Office Base or MySql
 

I have a couple of databases in MS Access running on Win200SP4 that I would really like to move to the Linux side. The forms have embedded graphics so it's not just a case of exporting things as a xls or comma-delimited file without losing the forms and the graphics.

Everything that I've read says that there is no way to just import things seamlessly into Libre Office Base or MySql or convert the .mdb files and certainly no way to save the forms. Basically, I would have to re-build everything from scratch.

Say it isn't so!! :)

Can anyone suggest a better way than that or even a good book on how to create this kind of database in LO?

Thanks for any help that you can provide.

Well, the part about forms is true...Access forms aren't really database records...just a bit of front-end stuff to let you access the data. Not sure where your embedded graphics are (in the form, or in the DB table?), but you should still be able to export the Access data itself. If the pictures are part of the database now, export those (somehow...sorry, don't know much about Windows/Access). The good news is, there are many examples of how to import data and pictures, into a MySQL database, such as this one:
http://support.tigertech.net/mysql-load-image

There are also probably programs on http://www.hotscripts.com that will let you hook into a MySQL database and browse pictures/edit data through a webpage (PHP most likely). MS Access is only really good for light-duty, and once you get migrated into a 'real' database (MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, etc.), you'll find that you have a lot more scalability and flexibility. But, the migration will probably be a bit of a pain. I do this sort of thing all the time, and have never had a client say they were sorry they did it afterwards. :)


There are commercial tools you can buy that can help:
http://dbconvert.com/convert-accessf...-web-mysql.php

Thanks for the help. I will definitely check those links. My databases aren't anything fancy. One, for example, is an inventory of my collection of old science fiction paperbacks. The embedded graphics are scans of the neat old cover art from that era. Mainly, it helps me from mistakenly buying the same book again.

I'd really like to get them into something Linux-based rather than linking into Access since then that would be one more Win program I could discard.

Thanks again for the information.

No problem, and check hotscripts.com. There may already be an inventory type program for such things (perhaps for DVD's or other collections), that already do what you want, and use MySQL.