As Microsoft Access is not available for Mac users, Christopher Newport University has provided Access in Amazon AppStream. This allows you to run Access directly on Amazon's computers, which run Windows and allow you to control them remotely. While this allows anyone with an Internet-connected computer to run Access, it does require you to do things a little differently. .

Note to Windows Users: While Windows users can technically use this process as well, you'll have a MUCH easier time using Access installed directly on your computer. This guide assumes that you're not on Windows.

Step 1: Obtain Working Files

First, you'll need to download any files that you need to work with from Scholar. To do so, click the file. Depending on your browser settings, it may just download, or it may ask you whether you want to save the file or open it. Do not open the file. While it won't hurt your computer, you won't be able to do anything with it. Instead, choose Save.

Some people have their browser set to automatically open downloaded Office documents. If this is the case for you, you'll get an error message saying that the file can't be opened. That's fine, as the file has already been downloaded. Just click Cancel and keep going with these steps.

Step 2: Upload to Google Drive

As you're going to be using Amazon's computer, not yours to do the work, we have to put the files somewhere both you and Amazon can get to. For that, we'll use Google Drive. Pull up your Google Drive, and choose where you'd like to put your Access assignments. We recommend creating a folder in your Google Drive so you can find the file.

You can simply drag and drop files into Google Drive, but we'll use the other method. In your Google Drive folder, click on New and choose File Upload.

Google Drive File Upload

Then, find your file and double-click it. If your browser automatically saved the file, it'll be under Downloads.

You'll see it appear in your Google Drive.

Step 3: Open AppStream

Now it's time to start working on the file. Go back into Scholar, and click the link that your instructor created for Access. If you can't find it, contact your instructor to ask about the specific name.

Once you do, you'll be taken to the App Selection screen. Choose Access.

Appstream Access

There will be a wait while your session starts up. Once it does, you'll see the Access screen.

First-Time Setup ONLY

The first time you connect to AppStream, you'll need to connect your Google Drive. To do so, click on the storage button in the toolbar.

Appstream Connect Files

On the right, you’ll see Add Storage. Click that and choose Google Drive.

Appstream Add Storage Google Drive

It’ll pull up a menu where you’ll have to click @cnu.edu. Then it will ask you to select which CNU Google account you want. You can’t change this later, so make sure that you’re on the correct Google Account.

You’ll then have to authorize AppStream to access your account.

Authorize AppStream

This is the only time you'll click the storage button. You'll use Access's built-in Open and Save functions from here out.

Step 4: Open your Files

To open your files, click Open Other Files.

Access Open Other Files

Then, click Browse.

Access Browse Button

Click This PC.

Access Open This PC

Choose Google Drive, and navigate to the folder that has your Access file in it.

Access Google Drive Pathway

If you get a message saying that Google Drive isn't ready, simply wait a few seconds and try again. Your Google Drive may also be a bit slow to load. This is normal.

Once you select your file, it should open in Access.

Step 5: Working with your Files

Once you've got it open, you can work with Access the same way you could if you were in front of a Windows computer (because, essentially, you are). If you make changes to the file, you can click the Save icon to save it. Just make sure Google Drive is in the path at the top of the screen.

Appstream Access Save File

To save the file with a different name, click the File Ribbon.

Access File Ribbon

Then, choose Save As, and click Save As in the screen that pops up.

Access Save As

Make sure that Google Drive is in the path at the top, name your file, and click Save..

Verify Google Drive Pathway

Step 6: Turning In Assignments

To turn in assignments, you'll have to do the reverse of how you got the files onto Google Drive. Go to your Google Drive and find the file. Right-click it and choose Download.

Download File from Google Drive

It will download to your computer. Just like when we got the file from Scholar, you may be asked whether you want to save or open the file. Do not open the file. It won't hurt your computer; you'll just get an error. If your computer is set to auto-open dowloaded files, you'll get an error message. That's okay; your file has been downloaded. Just click Cancel.

Once you do that, the file is on your computer. Navigate to the place in Scholar where you've been told to upload the file, and upload it as normal.

Browser not supported