Simple, Cheap DB And FORMS maker?

[mayagayam]

hi

I can't make heads or tails of this. Please help.

I have recently moved from WinXP to Mac OS X (Snow Leopard), soon to go Lion. I have a simple flat-file database in Access and a custom front end form that I had made in C++ for WinXP to view/edit/manipulate the data. Since I switched to the Mac I've been using VMware Fusion to get to my data and UI when I want them - but that is a HUGE p.i.t.a...

I dearly want to get OFF of WinXP.

I have seen tons of names of database apps for Mac but I can't find the answer to one simple question:

** What app will let me create a FORM to manipulate my AccessDB data and handle data rules in a way that matches the frontend I had built on WinXP? **

I have heard of Filemaker, Eagle Data, 4LightData, and I have looked at database app lists like the one on pure-mac or sofotex. This has not answered my question.

Could a Mac user with experience in Access (creating data forms to manipulate data) tell me which program(s) would suit what I want? The cheaper the better.

Thank you!
Maya-G
:

[James]

Have you tried either Open Office or Libre Office, both will read Excel and Access files if i am not mistaken. Both programs are off shoots of the same program and both programs are free.

[mayagayam]

I've not tried these! I'll give them a shot!

Thank you James!
Maya-G