How can I open a PDF document from an Access database form

[Wayne Viles]

I have several documents stored as PDF documents. I wish to open a PDF
document by clicking a button in an Access form. Please help.

 

[Ofer Cohen]

You can use the FollowHyperLink, it will open any file with the program
assocuated with it in windows

Application.FollowHyperLink "File Path and name"

e.g

Application.FollowHyperLink "c:\Filename.pdf"

 

[Warden]

Using the hyperlink method works most of the time but I have had problems
with the department that supplies the PDF document. They do not always use
the same naming convention when creating the Pdf. If there is a comma or a
pound sign (#) in the file name of the PDF the hyperlink may not always work.
In my work place the PDF’s are scanned images of contractual documents. These
come in three flavors; Proposed, Authorized, and Cancelled.
I have solved the hyperlink problem by doing the following, one by creating
a field in one of the forms supporting tables called “FileName†in this field
I paste the name of the pdf document from the Pdf’s properties box.
On the form itself I have an unbound text box. Using the On current property
of the form I have an if statement that creates one of the folder names that
contract’s uses to file the pdf. For example A1 = authorized, p1 = proposed,
C1 = cancelled.

Private sub Form_current()
If Authcode.value = “A1†then
Me.txtFolder= “ContractxxxAuthorizedâ€
End if
Elseif Authcode.value=â€P1†then
Me.txtfolder=â€contractXXXProposedâ€
End if
Elseif Authcode.value=â€C1†then
Me.txtFolder=â€contractxxxCanceledâ€
End if
Exit sub
End sub

Create a button on your form with the code below:

Private Sub cmdViewPDF_Click()
' this sub opens a particular Pdf based on information contained on
Document tracking ‘information form.
Dim strAdd As String
strAdd = txtFolder & "\" & FileName
OpenPDFFile "\\ServerName\PF1\Pf2\Pf3\PF4\PDFs\" & strAdd & " "
Exit Sub


End Sub

PF1= primary Folder
Pf2=Secondary Folder
PF3= tertiary Folder
Pf4= next folder
Etc.
Thus with these two sets of code you set up a way to open a PDF document by
programming in the file path and not using the hyperlink.

Good luck