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Exploring the Powerful Features of IBM Access Client Solutions (ACS)

By PIO TEAM on January 15, 2026

Are you..,

Tired of juggling outdated tools to manage your IBM i systems?

Then..,

There is a smarter way—and it is called Access Client Solutions.

Introduction

In the ever-evolving IT infrastructure and system management world, IBM’s Access Client Solutions (ACS) stands out as a comprehensive, modern tool for managing IBM i environments. With its Java-based interface, ACS replaces IBM i Access for Windows and offers a range of features that simplify system management, database access, and file transfers for developers and administrators alike.

It does not matter if you are an IBM i veteran or just starting. Here is a breakdown of the features that make ACS an essential tool in your toolbox.

Print the Current Screen

The “Print the Current Screen” option, conveniently placed within the ACS toolbar, is a powerful tool that enables users to print the contents of the current screen. With this feature, you can convert any object within the Access database into a tangible format, whether it is a table, a form, a report, or any other object.

Instructions: 

  1. Open the desired screen or window that you want to print.
  1. Ensure that the ACS toolbar is visible at the top of the screen.
  1. Locate the “Print the Current Screen” icon on the toolbar. It typically looks like a printer or a printer with a piece of paper.
  1. Click on the “Print the Current Screen” icon.
  1. A print dialogue box will appear, allowing you to specify print settings such as printer selection, number of copies, and page range.
  1. Configure the desired print settings as needed.
  1. Click on the “Print” button to start the printing process.

The current screen will be sent to the selected printer and printed according to the specified settings.

Copy Selected Text to Clipboard

The “Copy Selected Text to Clipboard” option in the ACS toolbar allows you to effortlessly copy selected text from any displayed information within the tool and save it to your clipboard. No matter whether you are working with tables, records, source code, or system messages, this feature enables you to quickly extract the desired text without manual copying and pasting.

Instructions:

  1. Launch the Access Client Solution tool and navigate to the desired text you want to copy.
  1. Highlight the text you wish to copy by clicking and dragging your cursor over the desired content.
  2. Locate the “Copy Selected Text to Clipboard” icon in the ACS toolbar. It typically appears as an icon with a clipboard or an associated tooltip.
  1. Click on the “Copy Selected Text to Clipboard” icon. The selected text will be instantly copied to your clipboard.
  1. Open the desired application or document where you want to paste the copied text, and use the standard paste shortcut (e.g., CTRL) to insert the content.

Paste Clipboard Contents at Cursor Position

The “Paste Clipboard Contents at Cursor Position” option in the ACS toolbar empowers you to seamlessly insert clipboard content into the ACS terminal session at the current cursor position. Using this option, you will no longer have to manually position and paste information from external sources into your AS/400 session.

Instructions:

  1. Copy the desired content from an external source into your clipboard.
  2. Open the ACS tool and navigate to the terminal session where you want to insert the clipboard content.
  1. Position the cursor at the desired insertion points within the terminal session.
  1. Locate the “Paste Clipboard Contents at Cursor Position” icon in the ACS toolbar. It usually appears as an icon resembling a clipboard or has a relevant tooltip.
  2. Click on the “Paste Clipboard Contents at Cursor Position” icon. The clipboard content will be instantly inserted at the current cursor position in the terminal session.
  3. Review and adjust the inserted content as needed. 

Data Transfer from IBM i

With the “Data Transfer from IBM i” option in the ACS toolbar, users can effortlessly transfer data between IBM i systems and external sources. Whether it is importing data from a PC or exporting data from an IBM i system to an Excel spreadsheet, this feature provides a seamless data transfer mechanism.

Instructions:

1. Launch Access Client Solution:

Open the Access Client Solution on your computer by double-clicking the ACS icon or accessing it through the Start menu. 

2. Connect to the IBM i System:

To establish a connection with your IBM i system, enter the necessary information. This typically includes the system name or IP address, user ID, and password. Click the “Connect” button to establish the connection.

3. Open the “Data Transfer from IBM i” Option:

Once connected to the IBM i system, locate the ACS toolbar at the top of the ACS window. Among the toolbar options, you will find the “Data Transfer from IBM i”       button, which looks like a computer screen with an arrow pointing upwards. Click on this button to open the data transfer feature.

4. Specify the Data Transfer Direction:

In the “Data Transfer from IBM i” window, you will find two tabs: “Import” and “Export.” Choose the appropriate tab based on the direction of the data transfer you want to perform.

5. Configure the Data Transfer Settings:

In the selected tab, you will find various options to configure the data transfer settings. These settings may include selecting the source and target systems, specifying the file or table names, choosing the format (e.g., Excel, CSV, XML) for data transfer, and defining any additional options or filters as needed.

6. Preview and Validate the Data Transfer:

Before initiating the actual data transfer, you can preview the data to be transferred and validate the settings. You can use this step to ensure the selected files, tables, and settings are correct and meet your requirements.

7. Initiate the Data Transfer:

Once you have reviewed and validated the data transfer settings, click the “Transfer” or “Start” button to initiate the data transfer process. The ACS application will manage the data transfer between the IBM i system and the specified source or target.

8. Monitor the Data Transfer Progress:

ACS will provide feedback during the data transfer process on the progress and completion of the transfer. You can monitor progress through a progress bar or status indicators, ensuring that the data transfer is proceeding as expected.

9. Verify the Data Transfer:

Once the data transfer is complete, you can verify the transferred data by accessing the target system or the specified file format (e.g., Excel spreadsheet) in the external application. Perform any necessary checks or validations to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the transferred data. 

Data Transfer to IBM i

The “Data Transfer to IBM i” option, accessible from the ACS toolbar, provides users with a straightforward mechanism to transfer data from external sources to IBM i systems. With this feature, you can seamlessly import data from Excel spreadsheets, CSV files, or other compatible formats into your IBM i environment.

Instructions:

1. Launch Access Client Solution:

Open the Access Client Solution on your computer by double-clicking the ACS icon or accessing it through the Start menu.

2. Connect to the IBM i System:

Enter the necessary information to establish a connection with your IBM i system. This typically includes the system name or IP address, user ID, and password. Click the “Connect” button to establish the connection.

3. Open the “Data Transfer to IBM i” Option:

Once connected to the IBM i system, locate the ACS toolbar at the top of the ACS window. In the toolbar, you will find the “Data Transfer to IBM i” button, represented by an icon of a computer screen with an arrow pointing towards the IBM i system. Click on this button to open the data transfer feature.

4. Select the Source Data:

In the “Data Transfer to IBM i” window, choose the source of the data you want to transfer to the IBM i system. This can be an Excel spreadsheet, a CSV file, or another compatible format.

5. Map Fields to IBM i Tables or Files:

With ACS, you can map fields in source data to corresponding fields in target IBM i tables or files. Map the fields appropriately to ensure data is transferred to the correct locations.

6. Configure Transfer Options:

ACS offers various options to configure the data transfer process. In addition to the target library, record format, and data type conversions, you may set other transfer preferences based on your requirements.

7. Validate and Preview Data:

Before initiating the transfer, validate the mapped fields and preview the data to ensure accuracy. Use the preview feature to verify that the data appears correctly and meets your expectations.

8. Initiate the Data Transfer:

Once the data transfer settings have been configured and validated, click the “Transfer” or “Start” button to initiate the data transfer process. ACS will manage the transfer of data from the source file to the designated IBM i tables or files. 

9. Monitor the Transfer Progress:

During the data transfer process, ACS provides feedback on the progress and completion of the transfer. You can monitor progress through a progress bar or status indicators, ensuring that the data transfer is proceeding as expected.

10. Verify the Imported Data:

After the data transfer is complete, access the IBM i system and verify the imported data within the designated tables or files. Perform any necessary checks or validations to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the transferred data.

Conclusion:

IBM Access Client Solutions (ACS) brings together a wide range of powerful, everyday IBM i functions into one clean, modern interface. Whether you’re printing screens, copying and pasting text, or performing seamless data transfers, ACS eliminates the need for multiple disconnected tools and makes system management far more efficient. Its intuitive design, cross‑platform support, and robust feature set make it valuable for both new users and experienced professionals. By simplifying routine tasks and improving workflow speed, ACS has become an essential tool for anyone working with IBM i environments.

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