Contact/Customer Database plus multiple attachments

[darkan99el]

Hi all, I want to create a customer database (DB) and for it to also have the facility to attach multiple pdf files. These pdf files will be scanned documents such as invoices, order forms etc.

I am using Access 2013 on Windows 8.1

I have created a database using the Desktop Contacts template to understand about how to set up Tables, Forms, Reports etc and to refine the concept of the database I want.

I am creating a custom database from the Blank template in tandem as the Desktop Contact template is Americanised (State, Zip) and I want my database to be UK specific i.e. Town, County, Postcode etc Customer instead of Contact, plus it helps me understand the mechanics.

I am however, a bit confused with regards to how to add attachments to a customer. I have been doing a bit of reading on the forum and from what I understand, the Data Type 'Attachment' is a multi-file field. I'm not sure if this is a one-hit scenario i.e. you can select multiple files and they will be attached to the customer or you can add individual files over a period of time? the latter being the preferred method.

Thank you.

[burrina]

Usually in your scenario you store those scanned documents in a folder and then link to them and attach that way.

[June7]

Be aware that embedding a lot of files in table can use up Access file size limit of 2GB rather fast.

The attachment type field is a type of multi-value field. Multiple items can be added at once or additional items added later.

A normalized data structure would be a related table with one record for each file (embedded or external reference).