Image Storage in file off the Access DB

[zkrucz]

I finally have the approval to proceed with image storage in a file outside of the Access DB. Currently the image attachments in Access Forms are linked to Access Tables via a unique record identifier (AccountNo). Can you confirm that the same unique record identifier can be used to link these images in Access Forms, i.e. a similar process can take place?

[ranman256]

if you are saving the ID from access autonum field, then yes, every # will be unique.
even if you make your own ID , and store the path of the image (on a server) then access can open it.

I would not store images at attachments. Your db will fill up fast. Store the path to the image.
open it with this:

Paste this code into a module, and it will open ANY file in its native application.
In a form put the field and a button to open it.




if the file is myFile.pdf, will open it in acrobat
if the file is myFile.doc, it will open the doc in Word
if its just a file path, it will open in file explorer.
etc..


usage:
OpenNativeApp txtBox


paste this code into a module

'Attribute VB_Name = "modNativeApp"
'Option Compare Database
Option Explicit


Private Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" (ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal lpszOp As String, ByVal lpszFile As String, ByVal lpszParams As String, ByVal lpszDir As String, ByVal FsShowCmd As Long) As Long


Private Declare Function GetDesktopWindow Lib "user32" () As Long
Const SW_SHOWNORMAL = 1
Const SE_ERR_FNF = 2&
Const SE_ERR_PNF = 3&
Const SE_ERR_ACCESSDENIED = 5&
Const SE_ERR_OOM = 8&
Const SE_ERR_DLLNOTFOUND = 32&
Const SE_ERR_SHARE = 26&
Const SE_ERR_ASSOCINCOMPLETE = 27&
Const SE_ERR_DDETIMEOUT = 28&
Const SE_ERR_DDEFAIL = 29&
Const SE_ERR_DDEBUSY = 30&
Const SE_ERR_NOASSOC = 31&
Const ERROR_BAD_FORMAT = 11&




Public Sub OpenNativeApp(ByVal psDocName As String)
Dim r As Long, msg As String


r = StartDoc(psDocName)
If r <= 32 Then
    'There was an error
    Select Case r
        Case SE_ERR_FNF
            msg = "File not found"
        Case SE_ERR_PNF
            msg = "Path not found"
        Case SE_ERR_ACCESSDENIED
            msg = "Access denied"
        Case SE_ERR_OOM
            msg = "Out of memory"
        Case SE_ERR_DLLNOTFOUND
            msg = "DLL not found"
        Case SE_ERR_SHARE
            msg = "A sharing violation occurred"
        Case SE_ERR_ASSOCINCOMPLETE
            msg = "Incomplete or invalid file association"
        Case SE_ERR_DDETIMEOUT
            msg = "DDE Time out"
        Case SE_ERR_DDEFAIL
            msg = "DDE transaction failed"
        Case SE_ERR_DDEBUSY
            msg = "DDE busy"
        Case SE_ERR_NOASSOC
            msg = "No association for file extension"
        Case ERROR_BAD_FORMAT
            msg = "Invalid EXE file or error in EXE image"
        Case Else
            msg = "Unknown error"
    End Select
'    MsgBox msg
End If
End Sub




Private Function StartDoc(psDocName As String) As Long
Dim Scr_hDC As Long


Scr_hDC = GetDesktopWindow()
StartDoc = ShellExecute(Scr_hDC, "Open", psDocName, "", "C:\", SW_SHOWNORMAL)
End Function

usage:

sub btnOpenFile_click()
  OpenNativeApp ME.txtBox
end sub

[June7]

Need to store image name in some field. Images can be named with account number. Is there only one image per account? Review this discussion https://www.accessforums.net/showthread.php?t=73766

[zkrucz]

@ranman256, @June27


Thanks for the code.

No, there will be multiple images per each record. Right now, they are Attachments A1, A2, A3.... So, the new file structure could be made the same, correct?

[June7]

Yes, file structure can reflect that. Need a dependent related table so each image is a record. And probably a subform as well.

[zkrucz]

@June7

OK, will let you know how this project comes out.