Image Handling in an Access Database

[Knickerless Parsons]

I'm using Access 2007 to develop a simple personnel database.

One of the fields in the main table is an OLE object which has been
used to store an image of each staff member. Up to now, the users
access the table directly and paste the image in from an open word
document. There is also an associated form that allows the users to
update some (not all) of the numeric and string data.

I've been asked to tidy up the application so I'd like to include the
image in the data entry form with a browse button so it can be
replaced by browsing to an alternative jpeg file. I suppose a remove
button would also be useful.

The form is used for entering new records as well as modifying
existing ones.

I've spent a hour or so googling around but can't find anything that
fits my requirements exactly. I don't suppose any of you would have a
simple solution handy or can point me in the right direction?

It's important that the images are stored within the database and I
would like the solution to work in older versions of Access (2000 and
2003).

Thanks in advance,
Dave.

 

[Fred]

For 2003 and older, storing the images IN the table was a definite "don't
do". One of the worst problems was exponential bloat (far greater then the
image size). The answer was t store the image as a seperate file, to store
the file name and location in 1 or 2 fields, and use code to display the
image in a form or report. So, if you are really going with "work with
older versions" this is your only viable way.

I heard that 2007 solved the exponential bloat problem.

 

[Knickerless Parsons]

Thanks for the reply Fred.

Trouble is that this is an existing system so I don't want to change
it too much to avoid alienating the users who built it in the first
place. The other problem is that we don't have an enduring solution
for storage of the database so it'll have to move in the near future
so separate images would make this more difficult.

I think I can cope with the issue of bloat by making sure that the
images aren't 12 megapixels but something more appropriate for a 4
inch preview.