Forum Discussion
Peter Mcdermott
Jul 27, 2017Iron Contributor
Can you export an Access Web App to SharePoint multiple times?
I have a current Access Web App that I'm working to recreate in either Access desktop (with the file saved on SharePoint) or in PowerApps. I'm still not sure what is the best solution. However, I wou...
- Aug 26, 2017
Hi Paal and Peter,
You're correct that you should be able to export your Access web app tables to SharePoint lists multiple times using the newer export option available from the web browser interface. There's no restriction as far as I'm aware that you can only export once. Think of it terms of a regular Access desktop database. You can easily export the data from an Access desktop database to a different data source multiple times so in the same fashion, you can export your Access web app tables to SharePoint lists multiple times.
Hope that helps,
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Jeff Conrad - Access Junkie - MVP Alumnus
Senior Content Publishing ManagerModern Assistance and Support Experience
Microsoft Corporation
Peter Mcdermott
Aug 24, 2017Iron Contributor
Paal W. Aanensen, after some conversations, what I have heard is that you can "probably not" export more than once.
The work around, I suppose, would be to deploy the application to another environment, export that information and then build/test around that so when you go to export your lists you at least have an idea of how it would work with the table structure.
Paal W. Aanensen
Aug 26, 2017Copper Contributor
Thank you for replying, Peter Mcdermott.
Actually, while waiting for feedback, I realised I could try exporting an old example database ("Back Office Software System", or BOSS, which I had from Jeff_Conrad's very useful book "Microsoft Access 2013 Inside Out").
I am happy to note that multiple exports of an Access Web App to Sharepoint lists seem to work fine. My original database has the URL https://[mysite].sharepoint.com/BOSS/. The first export I did led to the new lists being saved under a new subsite https://[mysite].sharepoint.com/BOSS1/. I then made a second export which resulted in a new subsite https://[mysite].sharepoint.com/BOSS2/. (And the few simple additions I did before export no. 2 show up in the BOSS2 lists as expected.)
By the way, your idea to export to another environment is not a viable route for me, as I understand our O365 plan (E3) with Sharepoint Online does not allow for more than one environment.
As a "non-programmer" - just trying to make the most of the tools we have at hand while trying to keep IT consultancy fees at a minimum - I do think AWA and now PowerApps seem like attractive options for some of our needs. Although it is a bit frustrating having to spend hours searching my way through articles and forums attempting to sort out the various features and limitations, before actually being able to build the app... ;)
- Jeff_ConradAug 26, 2017
Microsoft
Hi Paal and Peter,
You're correct that you should be able to export your Access web app tables to SharePoint lists multiple times using the newer export option available from the web browser interface. There's no restriction as far as I'm aware that you can only export once. Think of it terms of a regular Access desktop database. You can easily export the data from an Access desktop database to a different data source multiple times so in the same fashion, you can export your Access web app tables to SharePoint lists multiple times.
Hope that helps,
--------------------
Jeff Conrad - Access Junkie - MVP Alumnus
Senior Content Publishing ManagerModern Assistance and Support Experience
Microsoft Corporation