Microsoft Access 2024 Standalone: What You Get and Who Needs It
Microsoft Access is Microsoft’s tool for building your own database apps: tables, forms, queries, and reports that keep business data organized. Many people only discover they need it after buying Office and finding Access isn’t there.
This guide explains which Office 2024 versions include Access, what you get when you buy Access 2024 on its own, and how to decide between the standalone app and a suite. Everything here comes from Microsoft’s own product and support pages.
Is Access included in Office 2024?
It depends on the edition. According to Microsoft’s Office 2024 FAQ:
- Office Home 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. No Access.
- Office Home & Business 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook. No Access.
- Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access (Windows only).
So if you have Office Home or Home & Business 2024 and need Access, you can add Access 2024 standalone, or choose a version that includes it. For a full breakdown of the suites, see Office 2024 Home vs Home & Business vs Professional Plus.
What Access 2024 standalone includes
Microsoft describes the standalone version of Access as:
- For one PC.
- An easy-to-use tool for creating your own database apps, from templates or from scratch.
- Able to store data in SQL Server and Microsoft Azure SQL for reliability, scalability, and security. (Microsoft notes this needs a subscription to the service in question.)
- Compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Microsoft also highlights Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for automating business processes and building more useful forms and reports, and the Access connector library for sharing data between Access and line-of-business apps.
System requirements
| Requirement | Access 2024 (per Microsoft) |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1.6 GHz, 2-core |
| Operating system | Windows 11 or Windows 10 |
| Memory | 4 GB (64-bit), 2 GB (32-bit) RAM |
| Hard disk space | 4 GB available |
| Display | 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Graphics | DirectX 10 graphics card for graphics hardware acceleration |
| Other | Internet access and a Microsoft account |
Is Access available on Mac?
No. Microsoft describes Access as PC only, and its Office LTSC 2024 overview says “Access isn’t available for devices running macOS.” Office 2024 for Mac doesn’t include it either.
What’s new in Access 2024
Microsoft says the following features are included in standalone Access 2024 and in Access in Office 2024 Professional Plus:
- Dataverse connector with Power Platform: keep using Access while storing data in the cloud, opening the door to mobile solutions and Microsoft Teams integration.
- Microsoft Edge browser control: show web pages on a form by specifying a URL.
- Code signing for VBA: the Digital Signature command in the VBA editor lets you sign a database, so its code can run even when the Trust Center only allows digitally signed code.
- Open queries in SQL View from the Navigation Pane: right-click a query and go straight to SQL View.
- Turn off the linked-table warning: when opening a linked table in Design View, you can choose “Don’t show this message again” (and turn it back on later in Access Options).
- More open tables and connections: the maximum number of open tables rose from 2,048 to 4,096, and available connections from 256 to 512.
Standalone Access vs Office Professional Plus vs Microsoft 365
| Access 2024 standalone | Office 2024 Professional Plus | Microsoft 365 Business Standard / Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Includes Access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Also includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote | No | Yes | Yes |
| How you buy it | One-time purchase | One-time purchase | Subscription |
| Platform for Access | Windows PC | Windows PC | Windows PC |
Choose Access 2024 standalone if:
- You already have Office Home 2024 or Home & Business 2024 and only need to add Access.
- You only need Access, not the rest of the Office apps.
- Only some people on your team build or use databases, so not everyone needs it.
Choose Office 2024 Professional Plus if:
- You want Access together with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote in one purchase for a Windows PC.
Choose Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Premium if:
- Your business wants Access as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft lists Access in both plans. Request a quote and tell us how many users you need.
Ready to buy?
If you choose Office 2024 Professional Plus, see our guide on how to install Office 2024 Professional Plus. If anything doesn’t work as expected, contact our support team and we’ll help you sort it out.
Frequently asked questions
No. Microsoft lists Office Home & Business 2024 as including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Outlook, and Office Home 2024 as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Access is included in Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024, or you can buy Access 2024 on its own.
Yes. Microsoft sells Access 2024 as a standalone app for one PC, compatible with Windows 11 and Windows 10. It needs a Microsoft account and internet access.
No. Microsoft says Access is available for PC only and isn’t available for devices running macOS.
Microsoft licenses the standalone version of Access 2024 for one PC. If several people need Access on their own computers, each PC needs its own license.
Microsoft lists a Dataverse connector with Power Platform, the Microsoft Edge browser control for forms, code signing for VBA, opening queries in SQL View from the Navigation Pane, an option to stop the linked-table Design View warning, and higher limits of 4,096 open tables and 512 connections.
Microsoft lists Access as part of Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, and Microsoft 365 Enterprise versions. For a business subscription, request a quote and we’ll put the order together.
Questions about Access?
Not sure whether you need Access on its own or as part of a suite? We’re happy to help.
- Business or volume orders: request a quote.
- Help with an order: email support@solveditservices.com (fastest), or call (447) 223-5297.
- More answers are on our FAQ page.