Linking User Manual

[Verda]

I want to link a user manual guide from the access database. so when the user clicks a word document opens up. what is the best way of doing this? also are there some standard ways of making user manuals, for instance standard formats etc?
any help is much appreciated.

 

[jzwp22]

If you are not using Access 2007, then I would use the following approach.

In the database, I would have a text field that has the path to the document. Then create a simple form and on that form have a control that holds the path (you can set the visible property to no for this contol so your users do not see it). Also, add a button to the form. In the on click event of the button you can run this code:

If IsNull(Me.NameOfControlThatHoldsThePath) Then
MsgBox "No link exists"
Exit Sub
Else
Application.FollowHyperlink Me.NameOfControlThatHoldsThePath
End If

Access 2007 has the capability of storing attachments, but I don't know if having many attachments will bloat the size of the database.

 

[Verda]

okay firstly thank you for your post! secondly, i'm really new to this stuff and i don't understand half of what you have said. :$

 

[gemma-the-husky]

you can turn pages of rtf files into context sensitive .hlp files

look at windows help compiler

 

[jzwp22]

The first thing you have to do is create a table that will hold the details of the documents you want to store. Within that table include a field to hold the path to the document (C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\My Documents\filename).

I have attached a simple database as an example, you will have to open the table (tblDocuments) and edit the path (in the txtPath field) to correspond to the location and file name of the document for that record. You can then open the form frmDocuments and try the button.