databasedev.co.uk - database solutions and downloads for microsoft access

How to include a bound picture in a Microsoft Access Report:

While it's possible to actually store the images within the Microsoft Access database itself as OLE objects, normally it's not the preferred way. When you embed an OLE object in a table, you're storing a lot of overhead as well. This overhead is the information about the object (such as it's parent application) that Access needs to store in order to render the object properly.

The preferred way to display images is to store the complete path and filename to the actual files themselves within a table, and then use the Image tool (in Access 97/2000) to update the display.

The following example shows you how to display Windows bitmap images on a Microsoft Access report without storing the images in a Microsoft Access table.

Creating the Table to Store File and Path Data:

1. Create a new table that is named Imagetable and then add a text field that is named ImagePath.
2. Open the Imagetable table in Datasheet view and then add the path and the name of a bitmap file to each record. The following examples show how the records might look:

   c:\windows\circles.bmp
   c:\windows\waves.bmp
   c:\windows\tiles.bmp
   c:\windows\bubbles.bmp

Displaying Images in a Microsoft Access Report

1. You can use the AutoReport Wizard to create a new report that is based on the ImageTable table. Name the report ImageReport.
2. Open ImageReport in Design view and then add an image control to the report by using the Image tool in the toolbox. You are prompted to select an image to insert. Select any image that is available on your computer. Name the control ImageFrame.
3. Set the Format Event of the "Details" section of the report to the following Event Procedure:

   Private Sub Detail_Format(Cancel As Integer, FormatCount As Integer)
       Me![Imageframe].Picture = Me![Imagepath]
   End Sub

4. Open the ImageReport in Print Preview mode. Notice that the report displays the corresponding bitmap for each record.

Note: You may need to amend the file paths and image names to correspond with images stored on your system.

The method described above is similar to the actions required to include a bound image in a form. There is a further article related to this at: How to include a bound picture in a Microsoft Access form