Merge TIF Image from SQL 2K Blob

[JeffP->]

Since I can save/stream my TIF files into an SQL database, I want to know if
I can then merge (un-attended printing similar to a right-click print via an
automated process), I'm exploring if there is a way to print the TIF files
stored as blobs?

 

[Cindy M.]

Hi JeffP->,

Since I can save/stream my TIF files into an SQL database, I want to know if
I can then merge (un-attended printing similar to a right-click print via an
automated process), I'm exploring if there is a way to print the TIF files
stored as blobs?

I'm guessing you're asking whether you can pick up images from a database for a
Word mail merge? The answer is: no. There's a workaround where you can have
them as files and use the file name in the database to bring them into the
merge result, but that's the only possibility.

Word was designed (some twenty years ago!) to work with files on disk. The only
"streaming" capability it has is inserting something from the Clipboard (which
isn't an option in mail merge).

FWIW it should be possible for you to "stream" the blob to the clipboard and
from there Paste it into a document (or almost any graphics program), then
print. But that's not something a VBA group is going to be able to help you
with

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

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[JeffP->]

Cindy,

I'm merging data but it's a single record COM call to word and an addin
negotiates the dde to GoldMine's data channel, word pops up and minimizes. I
use DocProp to lookup in an INI file my doc's SQL sProc passing the one
AccountNo, from that sProc I'm able to retrieve information not stored in GM.

I use a similar copy paste in Excel to copy data retrieved into a range and
paste it into a named template, I'm hoping that it's similar, but I'm not
familiar with the prospect of streaming to the clipboard. Ironically I
already have asp.dot.net webpages scripted to enable our data imputters to
scrub the TIF files scanned from Kofax AC 8x. Current they are stored in a
folder (all 83k of them) and growing each day, so far so good, but I know I
need a better solution, perhaps a Kofax VAR has a solution... Ironically the
TIF files are only printed One Time!

You noted that this NG would most likely not be able to assist with
streaming to the clipboard, can you suggest one that may have better
prospects?

respectfully, JeffP->

 

[Cindy M.]

Hi JeffP->,

You noted that this NG would most likely not be able to assist with
streaming to the clipboard, can you suggest one that may have better
prospects?

I'm going to start with this, as I'm not sure there's much else I can
offer...

Depending on the programming language you're using, any group that
assists in working with the Windows API. You mention .NET If you're
using the .NET Framework, then start with Clipboard.GetDataObject (I'm
not sure what namespace that's in).

I'm merging data but it's a single record COM call to word

To give you options, it would really help to know which version of Word
is involved. What's available varies tremendously, according to the
version.

In a general sort of way, I suspect you'd be best off generating files
without any COM calls to Word at all. Instead, use the Office Open XML
file format to create the files. This is the 2007 file format, but
there's a "Compatibility Pack" that can be installed for 2000 and later
that will allow opening 2007 files. You'll find more on that at
OpenXMLDeveloper.org

Cindy Meister
INTER-Solutions, Switzerland
http://homepage.swissonline.ch/cindymeister (last update Jun 17 2005)
http://www.word.mvps.org

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