IncludePicture vs. Insert Picture

[tedmi]

Using Word 2002 and 2007 in compatibility mode.
What is the structural differance in the saved doc between inserting a
picture with the IncludePicture field vs. using the Insert > Picture > From
file UI?
The latter does not create a field.
The former does, but after saving the doc, the path to the picture file
contained in the field is immaterial. The original picture can be renamed,
deleted or moved, but its image is still in the doc.

Can anyone explain, please.
Thanks much

 

[macropod]

Hi TedMi,

The Insert|Picture method embeds the image in the file - unless you choose the 'Link to file' option. If you choose the 'Link to
file' option in compatibility mode, an INCLUDEPICTURE field is created. You apparently won't be able to access that field, however,
if the document has never been saved.

 

[tedmi]

But the IncludePicture field also embeds the image in the doc, if you don't
select "Data not stored..."
So why the two means of embedding? The field code continues to display the
original source of the image, long after the image could have been renamed,
moved or deleted. At least the Insert|Picture method does not pretend to give
you a (possibly bogus)image location.

 

[macropod]

Hi TedMi

The whole purpose of the INCLUDEPICTURE field is to maintain a link to the file from which the image is sourced (provided the
filepath and filename remain the same). Doing that means that, if the image is updated, so too will be the image in the document.
Simply embedding an image in a document won't do that.

Word has similar fields for linking to other documents (and even to just specified ranges within those documents), Excel workbook
ranges, etc.

--
Cheers
macropod
[MVP - Microsoft Word]

But the IncludePicture field also embeds the image in the doc, if you don't
select "Data not stored..."
So why the two means of embedding? The field code continues to display the
original source of the image, long after the image could have been renamed,
moved or deleted. At least the Insert|Picture method does not pretend to give
you a (possibly bogus)image location.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

In previous versions, there was a choice to insert, link, or insert and
link. In Word 2003, if you choose Link to File, the picture is *not*
embedded.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

But the IncludePicture field also embeds the image in the doc, if you
don't
select "Data not stored..."
So why the two means of embedding? The field code continues to display the
original source of the image, long after the image could have been
renamed,
moved or deleted. At least the Insert|Picture method does not pretend to
give
you a (possibly bogus)image location.