How to Write Access 2013 Custom Web App on Office 365

Step 1

Sign into Office 365 enterprise and get a free version of Office as well as SharePoint. I installed Access 2013 on my local machine and used SharePoint from the Office 365 enterprise version. Create a team site in the cloud environment and use that URL in the Web Location text box.

Step 2

Choose an existing template to better understand how tables and forms are created. I have chosen the Project Management template. Then you can click on "Add table". I have created a table called Estimation as shown below.

The Data Types available are very restricted as shown below:

Also I did not find an option to change the Primary Keys. When you save the table you will see two forms automatically created for you. In my case Estimation Datasheet and Estimation List. Make sure your Navigations Pane is "On".

You will also notice that in the Projects List Form a tab for Estimation is added automatically.



Step 3

Open the Estimation List Form. We need to add code in this form. In my case I needed to add custom logic to fill in the Per Day Effort and Calculate the Item Effort. Chose the Component Drop Down. In the Actions button you will see the allowed actions for that control. The list is control specific. Click on After Update in this case.



Step 4

Write your custom logic. When you click on the "After Update" as in this case the Macro Tools opens as below. It is painful to use this editor but currently there is no other choice.



Similarly write code for other controls as required. You can use Expression builder in the case of calculated fields as shown below.



Step 5

For the summation of items, you need to go to the Project List Form and click on the Estimation Tab as shown below. This will add a total effort at the form below.



Step 6

Time to launch your app. Click on the "Launch App" button. If all goes well you will see a screen as below.



Step 7

One you add the Project and Estimation details you will see the following screen with additional summation field as below.



It has been a painful journey to begin with. Hope with more examples and help material on Microsoft this journey becomes enjoyable.