Lesson 4	Types of Data Access Pages
Objective	Learn how Data Access Pages can be used.

Modern Data Access Pages and Their Evolution in Microsoft Access 2021–2025

In earlier versions of Microsoft Access, Data Access Pages (DAPs) were used to create web-based interfaces for entering, viewing, and analyzing data. These pages could connect directly to an Access database and allowed users to interact with data through a browser. However, in modern versions such as Access 2021 and Microsoft 365 Access, DAPs have been replaced with more secure and flexible options — including Access Web Apps (now retired) and, more recently, Microsoft Dataverse and Power Apps integrations.

To understand how these older concepts evolved, this lesson reviews the four core Data Access Page types once used in Access 2000–2003 and maps them to their modern equivalents in Access 2025, focusing on data input, review, analysis, and visualization.

1. Inputting Data (Legacy DAP) → Modern Form View

The classic data entry page displayed one record at a time, designed for easy input and validation. In Access 2025, this workflow is achieved through Form objects (for local databases) or Power Apps forms (for cloud-based solutions connected to Dataverse or SQL Server).

Access legacy View Products Data Access Page for product entry — **Legacy View Products Page:** A single-record data entry form for products.
`Product ID: 1 Product Name: Chai Supplier: Exotic Liquids Category: Beverages Quantity Per Unit: 10 boxes × 20 bags Unit Price: $18.00 Units In Stock: 39`
Navigation: [First] [Previous] [Next] [Last] [New Record]
*Modern Equivalent:* Create an Access form bound to the “Products” table. For cloud environments, build a Power Apps form connected to Microsoft Dataverse.

2. Reviewing Data (Legacy DAP) → Filtered Datasheet or Subform

Legacy DAPs allowed category-based browsing, similar to applying a dynamic filter. Today, this can be implemented with an Access Datasheet view with filters or a split form that displays both a form and a datasheet for easy navigation. In web solutions, Power Apps Galleries or modern Access forms with combo box filters perform this function.

Access legacy Review Products Data Access Page showing filtered product list — **Legacy Review Products Page:** Displayed products filtered by category.
`Category: Beverages | Product Name | Unit Price | | ------------- | ----------- | | Chai | $18.00 | | Chang | $19.00 | | Chartreuse | $18.00 |`
*Modern Equivalent:* Use a combo box or filter panel in an Access form to filter the product list dynamically.

3. Analyzing Data (Legacy DAP) → Modern PivotTable or Power BI Integration

The Pivot List control was once embedded in DAPs to summarize and analyze data. In Access 2021 and Microsoft 365, this feature has been replaced by PivotTable Views or external tools such as Excel PivotTables and Power BI dashboards connected to your Access data source. These modern tools allow grouping, aggregations, and visualizations with greater flexibility.

Access legacy Pivot List control for analyzing orders and sales data — **Legacy Pivot List Control:** Summarized sales data by ShipName and employee.
`| ShipName | Orders | Total Sales | | -------------------- | ------- | ------------ | | Berglunds snabbköp | 2 | $1,600 | | Blondel père et fils | 1 | $1,400 | | Bon app' | 1 | $400 |`
*Modern Equivalent:* Create a PivotTable in Excel connected to Access, or publish your data to Power BI for real-time visualization.

4. Visualizing and Projecting Data (Legacy Chart Control) → Modern Chart and Power BI Visuals

Legacy DAPs used an embedded Chart Control for trend analysis and projections. In current Access versions, you can use the built-in Modern Chart control (introduced in Access 2019) or export your dataset to Power BI for advanced visual forecasting.

Legacy Chart Control showing product sales by quarter — **Legacy Chart Example:** Product sales by quarter, showing quarterly totals per product.
`| Product Name | Q1 Sales | Q2 Sales | | -------------- | -------- | -------- | | Chai | 705.6 | 878.4 | | Chang | 2720.8 | 228.0 | | Chartreuse | 590.4 | 360.0 |`
*Modern Equivalent:* Use Access’s Modern Chart feature (Bar, Line, or Combo) or export to Power BI for predictive analytics and interactive dashboards.

From DAPs to Modern Connectivity

Although Data Access Pages are now a legacy technology, their concepts—data input, review, analysis, and visualization—remain at the core of modern Access and Microsoft 365 tools. Today’s workflows connect seamlessly to SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, or Dataverse, and leverage Power Apps and Power BI for secure, cloud-enabled data management.

Key Takeaways

Data Access Pages (DAPs) have been replaced with forms, reports, and Power Platform integrations.
Modern Access supports hybrid desktop-cloud solutions using Dataverse and Power BI.
Legacy DAP concepts evolved into modular, secure, and responsive UI frameworks for relational data.

In the next lesson, you’ll learn how to use the Page Wizard (now replaced by modern Access wizards and templates) to build efficient data entry forms and integrate them into your relational database workflow.

Hyperlinks Data Access Pages - Quiz
Click the Quiz link below to answer a few questions about hyperlinks and Data Access Pages.
Hyperlinks Data Access Pages - Quiz