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rando230's avatar
rando230
Copper Contributor
Jul 09, 2024

Can Microsoft Access Send Forms via Email? Missing Button Issue

I've been exploring the functionality of Microsoft Access and came across an interesting feature that allows users to collect data through emails. According to the Microsoft support page (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-the-data-collected-through-e-mails-to-your-access-database-89dc12dc-17c6-4251-bec0-689ba00a48e0), it seems like there should be an option to send forms via email directly from Access.

 

However, I've encountered a problem where the button that supposedly facilitates this action is missing. I've followed the instructions provided in the link above, but I still can't seem to find the button or feature that allows me to send the forms out via email.

 

Has anyone else experienced this issue? If so, how did you resolve it? Is there an alternative method to send Access forms through email that I might not be aware of? Any guidance or suggestions from those who have successfully used this feature would be greatly appreciated.

  • Hi,

     

    According to the Microsoft support page (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-the-data-collected-through-e-mails-to-your-access-dat...), it seems like there should be an option to send forms via email directly from Access.

     

    Just to clarify this point:

    The linked article (below the title) says that it applies to "Access 2010, Access 2007". Unfortunately this so called "Access Data Collection" feature was deprecated with Access 2013.

     

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  • rando230 The Quick Access button "EMail" works also with forms. If you don't want to export as RTF-file, you have to open the form before you press it.

     

  • BTW, InfoPath's last version was in 2013. It isn't developed anymore. That doesn't mean you can't use it, but online support with Sharepoint will go away at some point. You may be interested in Microsoft Forms.
    • rando230's avatar
      rando230
      Copper Contributor

      Gerrit_Viehmann

      To clarify, it appears that currently, there is no method available for gathering data through offline forms. My initial idea was to:

      1. Create a form using Microsoft Access.
      2. Distribute a blank form to the client.
      3. Have the client fill out the form with the necessary data.
      4. Receive the completed forms, which serves as an offline database, via email.
      5. Integrate the data provided by the client into the main database.

      The critical requirement is that the data cannot be stored on the cloud due to its sensitive nature, which is a major concern for the client. With Microsoft phasing out InfoPath, does this mean there is no alternative for data collection that doesn't involve using SharePoint as an interim storage solution? And is Microsoft Forms currently the best option we have for this purpose?

      • Gerrit_Viehmann's avatar
        Gerrit_Viehmann
        Brass Contributor

        There are very many ways to do an online survey.

         

        In my experience sending a PDF-Form with email and reading filled replies with Access is not user-friendly enough. Sending anything, that requires the client to have certain not ubiquitous software installed (Adobe Acrobat Pro, InfoPath, Access, you name it), is even worse. So a cloud tool like MS Forms is the way I would go normally.


        If you can't use the cloud, then why can you use email?
        If you can host NextCloud yourself, it has a forms app that can do simple surveys and questionnaires.

         

        MS Forms can be used with a free Office 365 account, but of course, it has limitations and drawbacks.

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