What happened to Pivot Table view in Access 2013?

Microsoft are still interested in the end user consumer market but not the small-time business developer.

If the trend carries on like this, they will no doubt do away with Access completely. Three versions on the trot now have dumbed down the product.

The first sentence is different from what you originally stated. I'm not sure if MS was ever really interested in the small time developer. 

I also strongly disagree with your statements that Access WAS " (up to 2003) an excellent small business development tool.". I think it remains an excellent small business development tool. You refer to the Runtime version. Well its now free whereas, in 2003, you had to purchase a Developer's Edition. The "sophisticated security model" was quirky, cumbersome and disdained by myself and many other professional developers I know of. I know people bemoan the loss of ADP, but ODBC remains a more than viable way to use Access as a front end to SQL Server and other databases. The Upsizing Wizard was replaced by SSMA which, according to what I hear is better and more recommended. And yes I also bemoan the loss of Pivot tables and dbf support. 

And what "trend" are you referring to? You cite things that have been removed but don't talk about what has been added like linking to Sharepoint lists, Web apps, data macros, and other features. So this trend you refer to is one-sided and, in no way indicates a trend towards dropping Access. 

The reason I responded to post here is because I see a lot of one-sided inaccurate hogwash being posted. And felt the need to present a different, more factual viewpoint.

Windows 8, like the Mobile platform, is geared to the end user, not the small business developer, Scott. Microsoft are still interested in the end user consumer market but not the small-time business developer.

Access was (up to 2003) an excellent small business development tool. (Runtime version, sophisticated security model,  ADP thin client SQL front end, Upsizing Wizard and, of course, Pivot Table support.)

If the trend carries on like this, they will no doubt do away with Access completely. Three versions on the trot now have dumbed down the product.

Microsoft seem to have become the new IBM - they're only interested in serving corporate IT needs, not the small business/single user guy any more.

Really? So how do you explain Windows 8? Windows 8's biggest problem was that it didn't provide a viable platform for corporate IT and corporate IT stayed away from it. And, if MS wanted to serve corporate IT needs they would do away with Access entirely, since corporate IT has no use for it and pretty much hates it.

I agree, Matthew.

If some company brought out an Access 2003 clone (rather like Clipper/FoxBASE did for dBase III) they'd win a large slice of the market.

Microsoft seem to have become the new IBM - they're only interested in serving corporate IT needs, not the small business/single user guy any more.

Very sad.

Algis Kuliukas

MCP 3343

this makes Access nothing more than a large scale database. 

Excuse me? Access IS a database management system. That is all it ever has been. Because the system includes a forms engine, report writer and 2 procedural languages along with a database engine, it was and is much more than just a database. 

The Pivot table functionality is still in Office and can continue to be used, just not directly within Access. 

I'm not excusing Microsoft's removing the functionality, but I think your comments don't fit.