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nigeltstahl's avatar
nigeltstahl
Copper Contributor
Oct 07, 2023

Books API and Access

Hello,

 

I am working on a POS type application in Access for a bookstore and I am wondering if someone can help me connecting an API. My goal is to be able to scan the ISBN of a book and have the application retrieve all necessary information for me. While I could get by with entering said information manually, it would become quite cumbersome over time and definitely not ideal.

I have poked around the internet for sources, but I have not found any clear answers. If possible, I would like to use the Google Books or Open Library API to do this. Either one works.

 

I have a decent amount with VB and VBA in Excel and Access.

 

Thanks in advance.

  • George_Hepworth's avatar
    George_Hepworth
    Silver Contributor

    nigeltstahl I have done exactly this. I find Google Books gives me more comprehensive results (more potential matches), although I do prefer the kinds of information you typically get from Open Library. I have a whole series of videos documenting building of the Power Apps version of this application.

    It includes the Google Books API in one of the videos. 

     

    The Access version is quite complex. No real chance I can provide a working sample quickly. I will try to put something together, though, over the next week or so because I have a second request for the Access version. If I can put it into a shareable format, I'll consider doing that. In the meantime, you can also find a couple of videos on YouTube on the same topic:

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5kjyx1qIXY

    https://youtu.be/i27sstHwDIg

     

    The point is that you can make this happen, but it's not for the weekend Access developer. If your primary goal is running a bookstore, and you are not ready to really invest serious time in learning Access, you might want to reach out for direct assistance. Richard Hanson runs a bookstore on his Access application. You might start there.

     

     

     

     

    • nigeltstahl's avatar
      nigeltstahl
      Copper Contributor

      George_Hepworth What makes it so complex? The dealings with JSON?

       

      I am actually making it FOR a bookstore, and I do have considerable experience with Access.

       

      Thank you very much for your response.

      • George_Hepworth's avatar
        George_Hepworth
        Silver Contributor
        Colin is fine with sharing the VBA. I'll try to put together a sample over the next week or so. Lots of competing projects, though, might take priority.

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