Though a novice, I have created a searchable client database - for over 600 people so far - that involves updates. These updates involve a date, a note, maybe a type of update, and an option to highlight. But what I'd really like to add to it is the option of hyperlinking to a document or image in a folder dedicated to client information.
To be more illustrative, here is the client update section of a client's details:
At the right-most column of the continuous form, there is a DOCUMENTS section with a "+" button.
I would like to be able to be able to click on the "+" button, and have a pop up to select a document/image from a particular file.
Once selected, I would like the selected to appear as a hyperlinked number in that, when you click it, it opens the document/image external to the database.
If a mistake is made, or the document/image is no longer relevant, I would like the hyperlinked number to be easily deleted by simply backspacing over the number as if it were regular text.
I do not know what you did to get those attachment links, but they do not work.
You need to add via the Manage Attachments button in full edit mode.
Whilst you can easily hyperlink to a file, I am not sure how you can do that to an image in a file? That image would need to be a file in it's own right I believe?
Ah, that image is an artists rendition of what I'd like it to look like that I made quickly on MS Paint. It is not real. But I'd like to make it real.
My understanding is that the risk of using Manage Attachment is that it would greatly slow down the speed of the database itself. A way around that, when it comes to images, is to use external references. In case my noviceness isn't making any sense right now, this is what I mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOTuvZCxRTg
"Manage Attachment" is a reference to this forum's method to embed images in a post or attach files. You access it with the "Go Advanced" post editor button below edit window. Has nothing to do with Access database attachments.
Neither of your posted links works.
As far as opening a file via hyperlink, options are a Hyperlink field or a Text field and VBA using FollowHyperlink.
With form setting as Datasheet view, your "1, 2, 3" choice could be made from a combobox dropdown and use VBA to open appropriate file. Otherwise, each option would have to be in a separate textbox. Textbox can be designed to act like Hyperlink without VBA and even look like a button. Datasheet view will not display button controls.
Form in Continuous or Single view has more design flexibility.
But what I'd really like to add to it is the option of hyperlinking to a document or image in a folder dedicated to client information.
Is that folder dedicated to one client or all clients? I ask because I'm not a fan of storing file paths in tables. If a file gets moved, deleted, re-named, etc. it will screw things up.
What I normally do is create a client folder whenever a new client is added. I then store any files related to that client in that folder and use VBA to list the files.
If a file is renamed , deleted, etc. the list will always reflect what's in the folder.
Here's a quick example. (Note that any files added with the get file button will copy the file to the folder as opposed to moving the file)
Last edited by moke123; 04-02-2025 at 01:59 PM.
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Mike, I tried to use one of your suggestions, but I didn't get very far. Admittedly, a lot of what you guys are suggesting is going over my head because I'm so novice.
I thought having a dedicated file for this client database would simplify the coding a bit, in that you can code for a particular file every time, rather than having to select that file manually. I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong with sAction. As I thought I only had to =Open or ="Open" or whatnot, but it seems to not like that. I've tried to attach opening the external file through InputExternalDataBttn_Click. I thought I could *maybe* create a command that makes an output in ClientPhotoUpdate that is either a hyperlink text, or an image - something that is easily clicked on that results in opening the document/image. From there, come up with a mode of deletion. Maybe I should put a warning of "are you sure you want to delete this?" Haven't gotten that far in my thinking.
Lastly, I thought I'd add some fake information to help with the process a bit.