Access Source Exporter

Access Source Exporter brings the Access database source-export workflow into Visual Studio Code. Run Access: Export Source from the Command Palette, choose an .accdb or .mdb database and a destination folder, and the extension runs the bundled PowerShell exporter for you.

The exporter writes the database's VBA modules, forms, reports, macros, query SQL, table schema, and relationships as text files in organized folders. This makes Access project source easier to inspect, compare in version control, and maintain alongside application code. Database records are not exported.

The extension packages the PowerShell script within this project and invokes it directly; it does not reimplement the export logic. The extension can therefore be built and packaged independently of the original repository, and the PowerShell script remains independently runnable.

Using the extension

1. Open the Command Palette in VS Code.
2. Run Access: Export Source.
3. Select an Access database and an output folder.
4. Follow progress in the notification and view exporter output in the Access Source Export Output channel.

Exports can be cancelled while running.

Requirements

• Windows
• Windows PowerShell 5.1 (powershell.exe)
• Microsoft Access installed and activated

The exporter uses Access COM automation. PowerShell's process architecture must be compatible with the installed Access architecture.

Development

Open this folder in VS Code and start the Run Extension launch configuration to build the extension and open an Extension Development Host. The launch task runs npm run compile before starting. Use Access: Export Source in the host window to try the command.

Run npm test to compile and run the extension tests in a temporary VS Code instance.