Viewing files content inside MS-Access form

[Wanderley Egídio]

Dear All,


I need to develop an app using MS-Access 2016 that allows to view (content) several kinds of files [*.xlsx (MS-Excel), *.docx (MS-Word), *.msg (MS-Outlook) and PDF] INSIDE of the form (something like the MS Windows Explorer). I ask you to support me to solve this issue.




Best Regards,


Wanderley Egídio
From Brazil

[isladogs]

The obvious question is why?

You could probably use a web browser control for much of this idea

BUT why not open them in the default applications?
OR import the data into Access and display as a regular form?

[Wanderley Egídio]

Hi, "ridders52". I thank you for your quick answer. I will try explain better [using a sample] why I need to implement this solution and if you have suggestions feel free to give me them.

Sample: I filed a document (pdf for example) inside my database. Inside this document I have a lot of informations that I need catch from it (by reading) and tranfer for my database. I intent to have in my form an area where I can read line by line this document (e.g. on top of my screen) and below I have several fields to fill out with data that I read in cited document (pdf). These documents can be from Adobe (*.PDF), MS-Word (*.docx), MS-Excel (*.xlsx) or MS-Outlook (*.eml).

P.S.: My customer cannot use regular windows from MS-Windows to do this. They require that I include these views inside the form.

I hope I have been clearer this time and I count on your cooperation to solve this issue.

I thank all in advance for your support.

[isladogs]

Its very easy to open ANY file from Access
So you could have a form with a listbox listing any external files you want to view.
Then add code so when you click an item in the listbox, it is automatically opened using the default application.
That will definitely work for PDF, DOCX, XLSX an probably for Outlook EML files though I've never tried this

The attached file modHandleFiles contains a function fHandleFiles for this purpose
modHandleFiles.txt

Import the entire file to a standard module
Then run code like this from Access

Dim strFilePath As String

'set the full file path to the file you want to open
strFilePath = "c:\MyFiles\MyPDFFiles\MyExampleFile.PDF" 

Call fHandleFile(strFilename, WIN_NORMAL)

Alternatively, as I said previously, a web browser control can be used for a wide variety of content - online or otherwise
Suggest you search this site or Google for how to use this control in Access

The screenshot shows one such example - ideal for PDF & perhaps suitable for Word doc?




However, I don't think Excel files should be treated in this way - they can be imported or linked to your database
When you do this, the Excel file is in effect another table

You can also import Outlook folders to Access

This site is good for linking access to other Office programs:
http://www.helenfeddema.com/Code%20Samples.htm

Good luck

[Wanderley Egídio]

Hi "ridders52"

Sorry, but I think that I was not enough clear, but actually I need show the document content INSIDE form like ilustrated in bellow image [I read data in pdf document and typing in fields, both at form]:

[isladogs]

I understood that perfectly the first time I replied
If you really want to do this, use a web browser control as already mentioned
However, in my opinion there are better ways of achieving the same result

I've also spotted that you have also cross posted this thread at :https://www.access-programmers.co.uk...62#post1560562


As I wrote in your other post, please follow forum etiquette if you do cross-post to prevent people wasting time repeating existing answers:
i.e.. State you have done so & provide a link to the other post

[Wanderley Egídio]

First of all, I am so sorry for cross posted thread several time but I had believe to be using differents forums and I have searched intensely this solution. Also, I am starting to study MS-Access and to use forums like this. and my English level is not so good, too. I really apologize for this again for you and all collegues of this forum.

I thank you a lot if you can to send me more details about your comments guiding me step-by-step me to get the result hoped:


a) Using the web browse control [main doubt: I tried to use it to open the external file as I need putting its path in my PC (e.g. "C:\My documents\DocToTest.docx") and when I run it, it asked me to save this document and open it in MS-Word instead of show it inside my form as I would like.

b) I would like to hear you which better ways of achieving the same result then I kindly ask you to detail these ways.

[isladogs]

First of all, I am so sorry for cross posted thread several time but I had believe to be using differents forums and I have searched intensely this solution. Also, I am starting to study MS-Access and to use forums like this. and my English level is not so good, too. I really apologize for this again for you and all collegues of this forum.

I thank you a lot if you can to send me more details about your comments guiding me step-by-step me to get the result hoped:


a) Using the web browse control [main doubt: I tried to use it to open the external file as I need putting its path in my PC (e.g. "C:\My documents\DocToTest.docx") and when I run it, it asked me to save this document and open it in MS-Word instead of show it inside my form as I would like.

b) I would like to hear you which better ways of achieving the same result then I kindly ask you to detail these ways.

Firstly they are different forums ... but many of us answer questions on several forums
There isn't an issue with cross-posting as such - just follow the guidelines

See post #4 for better ways of doing this such as fHandleFile function
If that doesn't meet your needs, do a search for example databases using web browser forms