Shell command to open a file with Windows picture viewer

[Iain]

I've been trying to find a construct for Access 2007 that will run a subroutine from an OnClick event on a button, that will open an image file using the Windows Picture and Fax viewer in XP.



The full file path including the file name and extension is stored in the database.

None of the online searches have produced fruitfull results and so far, none of the example codes have got past the compile stage.

Any suggestions on how I might approach this?

[RuralGuy]

Maybe this link will help: http://access.mvps.org/access/api/api0004.htm
What is the extent of the picture (JPG etc...)? What is the default viewer for that type of file on your system?

[help_me_with_access]

Iain,

you know, the other thing you can do is simply create a shortcut to your picture viewer exe, move the shortcut to your "system32" folder and then in visual basic just type:

shell "pictureviewer " & path

you wouldn't have to bother with api code, changing your default image program or anything else! Or for that matter, just hard code the path to the picture viewer...or let the user pick the location...

[Iain]

All JPG. Default viewer is the windows picture and faxt viewer.

[Iain]

I started along these lines but I'm using the Windows XP default viewer and I can't find out what the exe file is called.

[Iain]

I tried the line of code you suggested with another application exe and it compiles ok but the sub routine just skips over it.

[help_me_with_access]

wow, did not know that windows pic viewer is apparently not an exe? hmmmm...take a look at the trick they pulled in post #8 here:

http://www.softwaretipsandtricks.com...er-hiding.html

don't have time to code, but you can probably work it out from there if you want to go that route!

[Iain]

No luck. the #8 solution generates a 'file not found' error just like any of the other application exe files.