Need "Browse for File" button

[truthlover]

I need some help. I need a button on an Access form that allows the user to browse for a file on our network, and insert it in a field (rather than having to type a path). I dont need any filters because the files can be any number of formats.

I've come across a couple of so-called "simple" solutions, but for the life of me, I either cant understand them or I cant get them to work. I know nothing about VB so if someone can provide a truly simple answer (preferably something I could cut and paste) with clear instructions on how to actually get it to work, I'd be VERY grateful.

Oh, I am coding this in Access 2000, but if I need to, I can code it in Access 2002-2003.

Thanks!
Barb

[ADezii]

I need some help. I need a button on an Access form that allows the user to browse for a file on our network, and insert it in a field (rather than having to type a path). I dont need any filters because the files can be any number of formats.

I've come across a couple of so-called "simple" solutions, but for the life of me, I either cant understand them or I cant get them to work. I know nothing about VB so if someone can provide a truly simple answer (preferably something I could cut and paste) with clear instructions on how to actually get it to work, I'd be VERY grateful.

Oh, I am coding this in Access 2000, but if I need to, I can code it in Access 2002-2003.

Thanks!
Barb

1. Set a Reference to Microsoft Office XX.X Object Library.
2. Copy and Paste the following code wherever appropriate, changing the name of the Text Box
   [CODE=vb]
   Dim fdg As FileDialog, vrtSelectedItem As Variant
   Dim strSelectedFile As String
   
   Set fdg = Application.Fil eDialog(msoFile DialogFilePicke r)
   
   With fdg
   .AllowMultiSele ct = False
   .InitialView = msoFileDialogVi ewDetails
   If .Show = -1 Then
   For Each vrtSelectedItem In .SelectedItems 'onby be 1
   strSelectedFile = vrtSelectedItem
   Next vrtSelectedItem
   Me![txtSelectedFile] = strSelectedFile
   Else 'The user pressed Cancel.
   End If
   End With
   
   Set fd = Nothing[/CODE]
3. Let me know if you have any problems.

[truthlover]

Set a Reference to Microsoft Office XX.X Object Library.

How do I do that?

Copy and Paste the following code wherever appropriate,

I'm afraid I couldnt begin to know where it's appropriate. Can you be more specific?

changing the name of the Text Box

Do you mean I have to change the name of the actual Text Box (what do I change it to?) or do you mean I have to rename the Text Box reference in the below code?

Sorry, I warned you I knew nothing about this

Thanks!
Barb

1. Set a Reference to Microsoft Office XX.X Object Library.
2. Copy and Paste the following code wherever appropriate, changing the name of the Text Box
   [CODE=vb]
   Dim fdg As FileDialog, vrtSelectedItem As Variant
   Dim strSelectedFile As String
   
   Set fdg = Application.Fil eDialog(msoFile DialogFilePicke r)
   
   With fdg
   .AllowMultiSele ct = False
   .InitialView = msoFileDialogVi ewDetails
   If .Show = -1 Then
   For Each vrtSelectedItem In .SelectedItems 'onby be 1
   strSelectedFile = vrtSelectedItem
   Next vrtSelectedItem
   Me![txtSelectedFile] = strSelectedFile
   Else 'The user pressed Cancel.
   End If
   End With
   
   Set fd = Nothing[/CODE]
3. Let me know if you have any problems.

[ADezii]

How do I do that?



I'm afraid I couldnt begin to know where it's appropriate. Can you be more specific?



Do you mean I have to change the name of the actual Text Box (what do I change it to?) or do you mean I have to rename the Text Box reference in the below code?

Sorry, I warned you I knew nothing about this

Thanks!
Barb

1. To set a Reference to the Microsoft Office Object Library
   • In Form Design View
   • Select View from the Menu Bar ==> Code
   • Select Tools from the Menu Bar ==> References
   • Scroll down to the Microsoft Office XX.X Object Library
   • Select the Check Box next to this Option
   • Click on OK
2. Select the Text Box on your Form (Design View) that will show the Path to the selected File
   • Right Click on Text Box ==> Properties ==> All Tab ==> Name.
   • Rename the Text Box to txtSelectedFile
   • Close Properties Dialog Box

[truthlover]

Ok, I got that. Now where does the code go? And is there anything I have to do to connect the code to the text box?

1. To set a Reference to the Microsoft Office Object Library
   • In Form Design View
   • Select View from the Menu Bar ==> Code
   • Select Tools from the Menu Bar ==> References
   • Scroll down to the Microsoft Office XX.X Object Library
   • Select the Check Box next to this Option
   • Click on OK
2. Select the Text Box on your Form (Design View) that will show the Path to the selected File
   
   • Right Click on Text Box ==> Properties ==> All Tab ==> Name.
   • Rename the Text Box to txtSelectedFile
   • Close Properties Dialog Box

[ADezii]

Ok, I got that. Now where does the code go? And is there anything I have to do to connect the code to the text box?

Now where does the code go?

The most obvious location would be the Click() Event of a Command Button.

And is there anything I have to do to connect the code to the text box?

Line #13 connects the code (selected File) to the Text Box as long as it is named txtSelectedFile.

[truthlover]

Thanks, that worked great!

One question, though, is that even though I have it set up as a hyperlink, when it's clicked on, nothing happens. Is there some extra coding it needs?

Also, is there any way of also getting an image of the file selected to display?

Thanks so much!
Barb

The most obvious location would be the Click() Event of a Command Button.

Line #13 connects the code (selected File) to the Text Box as long as it is named txtSelectedFile.

[ADezii]

Thanks, that worked great!

One question, though, is that even though I have it set up as a hyperlink, when it's clicked on, nothing happens. Is there some extra coding it needs?

Also, is there any way of also getting an image of the file selected to display?

Thanks so much!
Barb

You definately should have mentioned these 'little details' up front! Is the Control Source for txtSelectedFile a Hyperlink Data Type?

[truthlover]

You definately should have mentioned these 'little details' up front! Is the Control Source for txtSelectedFile a Hyperlink Data Type?

Sorry. I didint mention it because it was working with the "edit hyperlink" code I tried first.

Anyway, yes, I currently have the control source as a Hyperlink. I also had some trouble initially getting the hyperlink to not use http:// to target the link. I may have done it wrong (i set the format to "file://") so if that's wrong, please tell me the correct method.

Thanks for all your patience!!

[ADezii]

Sorry. I didint mention it because it was working with the "edit hyperlink" code I tried first.

Anyway, yes, I currently have the control source as a Hyperlink. I also had some trouble initially getting the hyperlink to not use http:// to target the link. I may have done it wrong (i set the format to "file://") so if that's wrong, please tell me the correct method.

Thanks for all your patience!!

You are quite welcome. Now, let's work on the Hyperlink part first. Make a slight change to the code in Line #11, as listed below. Select a Local File first, see if you can Navigate to it via the Hyperlink on the Form Field (txtSelectedFil e), then a File on the Network. Let me know how you make out:
[CODE=vb]
Dim fdg As FileDialog, vrtSelectedItem As Variant
Dim strSelectedFile As String

Set fdg = Application.Fil eDialog(msoFile DialogFilePicke r)

With fdg
.AllowMultiSele ct = False
.InitialView = msoFileDialogVi ewDetails
If .Show = -1 Then
For Each vrtSelectedItem In .SelectedItems 'onby be 1
strSelectedFile = vrtSelectedItem & "#" & vrtSelectedItem
Next vrtSelectedItem
Me![txtSelectedFile] = strSelectedFile
Else 'The user pressed Cancel.
End If
End With

Set fd = Nothing[/CODE]

[truthlover]

That worked perfectly, thanks!!

What about getting an image to display? Is it possible to have that function also display as an image? PDF would be the preferred format, since that's the output of our scanners, but if that's not possible, a .tiff or a .jpg would work.

Access does have a method of doing it, but to be honest, it's clunky and difficult and the people using it are not going to get it so if i can get this one function to work, it would be fabulous.

Even if I need a separate button to get the image to display, it would be better than not having the ability to display the image.

Thanks again
-Barb

You are quite welcome. Now, let's work on the Hyperlink part first. Make a slight change to the code in Line #11, as listed below. Select a Local File first, see if you can Navigate to it via the Hyperlink on the Form Field (txtSelectedFil e), then a File on the Network. Let me know how you make out:
[CODE=vb]
Dim fdg As FileDialog, vrtSelectedItem As Variant
Dim strSelectedFile As String

Set fdg = Application.Fil eDialog(msoFile DialogFilePicke r)

With fdg
.AllowMultiSele ct = False
.InitialView = msoFileDialogVi ewDetails
If .Show = -1 Then
For Each vrtSelectedItem In .SelectedItems 'onby be 1
strSelectedFile = vrtSelectedItem & "#" & vrtSelectedItem
Next vrtSelectedItem
Me![txtSelectedFile] = strSelectedFile
Else 'The user pressed Cancel.
End If
End With

Set fd = Nothing[/CODE]

[ADezii]

That worked perfectly, thanks!!

What about getting an image to display? Is it possible to have that function also display as an image? PDF would be the preferred format, since that's the output of our scanners, but if that's not possible, a .tiff or a .jpg would work.

Access does have a method of doing it, but to be honest, it's clunky and difficult and the people using it are not going to get it so if i can get this one function to work, it would be fabulous.

Even if I need a separate button to get the image to display, it would be better than not having the ability to display the image.

Thanks again
-Barb

I could incorporate code which would check the Selected File's Extension, and if it is one of the standard Graphic File Formats (*.bmp, *.gif, *.wmf, *.jpg) dynamically load the Image into an Iamge Control. This Control would have to have practical dimensions to be effective. Is this what you are looking for?

[truthlover]

Yes, that's exactly what I need.

Thanks so much for your help and your patience.

Have a wonderful weekend
-Barb

I could incorporate code which would check the Selected File's Extension, and if it is one of the standard Graphic File Formats (*.bmp, *.gif, *.wmf, *.jpg) dynamically load the Image into an Iamge Control. This Control would have to have practical dimensions to be effective. Is this what you are looking for?

[ADezii]

Yes, that's exactly what I need.

Thanks so much for your help and your patience.

Have a wonderful weekend
-Barb

You have a nice weekend, also. I'll try to have a look at it during this weekend and see what I can come up with.

[ADezii]

Yes, that's exactly what I need.

Thanks so much for your help and your patience.

Have a wonderful weekend
-Barb

I'm posting some revised code based on an Image Control on your Form named imgSelectedFile , but please download the Attached Test Database on this Thread to get a much clearer picture of what's going on. Let me know how you make out.
[CODE=vb]
Dim fdg As FileDialog, vrtSelectedItem As Variant
Dim strSelectedFile As String, strImagePath As String

Set fdg = Application.Fil eDialog(msoFile DialogFilePicke r)

With fdg
.AllowMultiSele ct = False
.InitialView = msoFileDialogVi ewDetails
If .Show = -1 Then
For Each vrtSelectedItem In .SelectedItems 'onby be 1
strImagePath = vrtSelectedItem
strSelectedFile = vrtSelectedItem & "#" & vrtSelectedItem
Next vrtSelectedItem
Me![txtSelectedFile] = strSelectedFile
Select Case Right$(strImage Path, 4)
Case ".wmf", ".emf", ".dib", ".bmp", ".ico", ".gif", ".jpg"
Me![imgSelectedFile].Picture = strImagePath
Case Else
Me![imgSelectedFile].Picture = ""
End Select
Else 'The user pressed Cancel.
End If
End With

Set fdg = Nothing[/CODE]