I’ll boil it down to this: SDOpenAI API is like doing chats with CoPilot. It forgets everything between each question and the Access plugin needs to resend the context of your questions each time. It does this in the background, but doesn’t know anything other than the current database you are in.

SDOpenAI Assistant API allows you to setup an assistant in OpenAI which means you can feed it information to use as a knowledge base. You could feed it VBA files from multiple Access applications and documentation you’ve written about your product, and the Assistant API will automatically use that context you’ve loaded in once every time you ask a question.

Once possible issue with that though, is you would have to make sure you kept the documents up to date. If your code has been updated, if you haven’t reloaded it into the assistant, it will base it’s answers on the older version it knows about.

The following portion of the article was produced by CoPilot by prompting it with: “Can you write an article about the SDOpenAI API plugin for Access vs the SDOpenAI Assistant plugins for Access, Word, and Excel and what the differences are and the reasons you’d use one over the other?” (Interestingly it uses the last article I wrote as a source for this article…)

Comparing the SDOpenAI API Plugin for Access with the SDOpenAI Assistant Plugins for Access, Word, and Excel

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we interact with software, and SDOpenAI is at the forefront of this revolution with its suite of plugins. This article explores the differences between the SDOpenAI API plugin for Access and the SDOpenAI Assistant plugins for Access, Word, and Excel, highlighting their unique features and use cases.

SDOpenAI API Plugin for Access

The SDOpenAI API plugin for Access is designed to integrate AI capabilities directly into Microsoft Access. This plugin leverages the OpenAI API to provide advanced functionalities such as code completion, error detection, and natural language processing within the Access environment.

Key Features:

1. Code Assistance: The plugin can suggest code completions and improvements, making it easier for developers to write and debug VBA code.
2. Natural Language Queries: Users can interact with their Access databases using natural language, simplifying complex queries and data manipulation tasks.
3. Customization: Developers can customize the prompts sent to the OpenAI API, tailoring the AI’s responses to their specific needs.

Use Cases:

• Advanced Development: Ideal for developers who need sophisticated code assistance and error detection.
• Complex Queries: Useful for users who want to perform complex database queries without deep knowledge of SQL or VBA.
• Customization Needs: Suitable for environments where highly customized AI interactions are required.

SDOpenAI Assistant Plugins for Access, Word, and Excel

The SDOpenAI Assistant plugins extend AI functionalities across multiple Microsoft Office applications, including Access, Word, and Excel. These plugins are designed to enhance productivity by providing AI-driven assistance tailored to each application’s unique requirements.

Key Features:

1. Multi-Application Support: These plugins offer AI capabilities across Access, Word, and Excel, providing a consistent user experience.
2. Contextual Assistance: The AI provides context-specific suggestions and improvements, whether you’re writing a document, managing a database, or analyzing data in a spreadsheet.
3. Ease of Use: Designed with user-friendliness in mind, these plugins require minimal setup and are easy to integrate into existing workflows[2].

Use Cases:

• Document Creation: In Word, the plugin can help with writing, editing, and formatting documents.
• Data Analysis: In Excel, it can assist with data analysis, formula suggestions, and error checking.
• Database Management: In Access, it provides similar functionalities to the API plugin but with a focus on ease of use and integration.

Choosing the Right Plugin

When to Use the SDOpenAI API Plugin for Access:

• You are a developer or advanced user who needs deep integration and customization capabilities.
• You require advanced code assistance and error detection within Access.
• You need to perform complex queries and data manipulations using natural language.

When to Use the SDOpenAI Assistant Plugins:

• You work across multiple Microsoft Office applications and need a consistent AI assistant.
• You prefer a user-friendly setup with minimal configuration.
• You need contextual AI assistance tailored to the specific tasks in Word, Excel, and Access.

In conclusion, both the SDOpenAI API plugin for Access and the SDOpenAI Assistant plugins offer powerful AI capabilities, but they cater to different needs. The API plugin is ideal for advanced users and developers who need deep customization and sophisticated code assistance, while the Assistant plugins are perfect for users seeking a seamless, multi-application AI experience.

[1]: Access JumpStart [2]: AccessForever

References

[1] Access plugin SDOpenAI and OpenAI API setup

[2] The first AI Add-In for Access – AccessForever