AI Assistants with Alexander Denz

Ever wished you could have ChatGPT-level intelligence directly integrated into Microsoft Access with your own custom knowledge base?

Alexander Denz, a software developer and consultant from Austria, demonstrated two generations of AI add-ins for Microsoft Access that bring powerful AI capabilities directly into the development environment. The first generation provides a ChatGPT interface with customizable ribbon functions and VBA editor enhancements, while the second generation introduces AI assistants—custom vector databases that can store and utilize your specific knowledge, code bases, and business rules. Both solutions offer developers the ability to leverage AI for code completion, optimization, translation, and even database queries without leaving the familiar Access environment.

Whether you're looking to accelerate your development workflow or explore cutting-edge AI integration possibilities, this comprehensive overview reveals how AI can transform your Access development experience.

First Generation: ChatGPT Interface Add-in

Core Features

• Ribbon Integration: Customizable AI functions directly in the Access ribbon
• Text Processing: Expand text, translate languages, shorten content with one click
• Individual Prompts: Custom AI requests for specific tasks
• Built-in Chat Client: Complete conversation capabilities within Access
• Multi-language Support: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish (with ability to add more)

VBA Editor Enhancements

• Code Explanation: Right-click to get detailed breakdowns of selected code
• Code Completion: GitHub Copilot-style functionality for VBA
• Code Optimization: AI suggestions for improving existing code
• Comment Generation: Automatic code documentation
• Custom Prompts: Flexible AI requests within the VBA environment
• Context Awareness: AI understands your existing functions and variables

Customization Capabilities

• XML-based Configuration: Easy addition of new ribbon buttons and functions
• Custom Languages: Add any language with personalized prompts
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Alternative to ribbon interface
• Flexible Prompts: Modify AI instructions for specific coding standards

Second Generation: AI Assistants with Custom Knowledge

Assistant Concepts

• Vector Databases: Secure storage of your custom knowledge within your OpenAI account
• Unlimited Assistants: Create purpose-specific AI helpers
• 100GB Knowledge Capacity: Store extensive documentation, code bases, and business rules
• Data Security: Your knowledge remains private and isn't used for model training

Main Application Features

• Assistant Management: Create, configure, and manage multiple AI assistants
• User Rights System: Control who can access which assistants
• File Upload Interface: Add PDFs, code files, and documentation
• Chat Environment: Interact with your custom-trained assistants
• Multi-language Support: Assistants can work in different languages

Advanced Integration Capabilities

• Database Queries: AI generates SQL based on your database structure
• CRUD Operations: Insert, update, delete records through natural language
• Custom Ribbon Functions: Assign assistants to specific ribbon buttons
• VBA Integration: Call assistants directly from VBA code
• Context-Aware Responses: AI understands your specific database schema and business rules

Practical Implementation Examples

Database Assistant Demonstration

• Table Structure Export: Free VBA module to generate database schema files
• Natural Language Queries: "How many cars do I have?" generates appropriate SQL
• Complex Aggregations: Handle multi-table queries and filtering
• Data Manipulation: Add, modify, or delete records through conversational interface

Code Integration

• Minimal Code Requirements: Just a few lines of VBA to implement AI functionality
• API Key Configuration: Simple setup process
• Context Passing: Automatically include current form data for relevant responses
• Result Processing: Display answers in immediate window or forms

Pricing and Licensing

First Generation Add-in

• Single License: €59.90 (one-time payment)
• Server Version: €239.90 (unlimited users)
• No Follow-up Costs: Except OpenAI API usage
• Multi-Application: Available for Access, Word, Excel, and old Outlook
• Free Updates: Within current version lifecycle

Second Generation Assistants

• Main Application: €299 (one-time) + €120/year updates
• Access Add-in: €99.90 (one-time) + €50/year updates
• Additional Users: €99.90 per user (one-time) + €50/year updates
• Special Offers: 40% discount for March 2025 orders, 20% through December 2025

Usage Considerations

• OpenAI API Costs: Separate charges based on model and token usage
• Commercial Deployment: Each client needs their own assistant setup
• Update Policy: Annual fees required for API compatibility and new features

Technical Requirements and Compatibility

System Integration

• COM Add-in Architecture: Standard Microsoft Office integration method
• VBA Class Libraries: Standalone code modules included with purchase
• Model Flexibility: Support for various OpenAI models including reasoning models
• Lazy Loading: Compatibility with other Access add-ins like Ivercy

Development Workflow

• Design-Time Safety: Code doesn't save resized dimensions
• ACCDE Compatibility: Works in compiled Access applications
• Context Awareness: Understands current form, control, and database state
• Token Management: Configurable limits for response length and cost control

Conclusion

Alexander's AI add-ins represent a significant advancement in bringing modern AI capabilities to Microsoft Access development. The first generation provides immediate productivity benefits through intelligent code assistance and text processing, while the second generation opens up possibilities for creating truly knowledge-aware applications. The demonstration of database querying through natural language and automated code generation showcases the potential for transforming how developers interact with their Access applications.

Recording

The full recording is available on YouTube:

Join Live!

Want to get even more out of these presentations? Join the live Access User Group events! The next upcoming events are listed on the AUG Event Calendar.

Attending live gives you the opportunity to:

• Interact directly with presenters during Q&A sessions
• Network with other Access developers
• Share your own experiences and challenges
• Get immediate answers to your specific questions
• Participate in group discussions

With multiple user groups across different time zones (and languages!), you're sure to find a meeting time that works for your schedule.

Acknowledgements

• Base cover image generated by FLUX-schnell
• Initial draft generated by Claude-Sonnet-4