Newbie - PDF Problem

[markpuk]

Hi All,

Trying to set up a DB for my Dads business, but not sure I can do what I need to. Basically, he's a surveyor, so I need to set up a DB of his jobs, but he also has a shedful ( not metaphorical either, a whole shed !! ) of paper files that he wants to scan and attach to the jobs in the DB.

Thought that sounded ok, until I read about the 2GB limit in access, so as one of his scanned files is about 100Mb, that quite clearly not going to work.

What I THINK I need to do is create a hyperlink so we can open the PDF from the DB with a simple click, but not sure how to easily create the hyperlink without lots of awkward copying and pasting, which Dad ( being old ) will struggle with.

I need a simple way of creating a form button to create the link by opening explorer and selecting the file, if that makes sense.

And then I need another button which will automatically open that pdf file ( in whatever pdf viewer ).

Any help anybody can give in explaining all that in easy to understand english for an idiot to understand ( that'll be me ), would be very greatly appreciated !!!!

Thanks all,
Mark.

 

[Minty]

You can relatively easily use VBA in Access to list files in a folder or a folder and subfolder(s), so if that would do you, you don't need to worry about creating the hyperlink.

VBA can generally easily open any file using the default windows application for that file type, so making a click to open form is again pretty straight forwards.

And your decision to not store the file within the database is spot on. Totally the correct method is to store the location (if you need to).

I can probably upload a example database with a file listing in it if required.

 

[markpuk]

Thanks Minty,

Ok, so firstly it would seem I should be able to do something.

Second, I need to make it as easy as I can for Dad ( and me ), so hows this for an idea.

Each of his jobs has a 4 digit job number. If I were to put all the files in a specific folder ( say called jobs for example ) as the job number for its name, I could then create a button with some VB script that would reference the job number field, and and build that into the path, so I can open the correct file. That way I don't actually need any reference to a file, but I can open each correct pdf based on the job number.

If you can help me with a bit of VB code and where to stick it, that would be absolutely fab !!

Thanks,
Mark.

 

[Minty]

What you have described is a really solid method for file storage.
I have something in place that I will adapt for you, that should get you started. I might be a while if you can wait.

 

[markpuk]

That would be awesome, thank you ever so much.

No mad rush, you are doing it out of the goodness of your heart after all

If you've got a bit of general search code too that would be a bonus !!

As there's probably only going to be one table, one search field that will search all the records and fields should be all I need. Most of the time he'll be searching for a specific job by job number, address, or name or whatever. Very occasionally there may be 2 or 3 records for the same property if it's been sold on a few times, or same client if they've used him for a couple of jobs.

Again, thanks.
Mark.

 

[Minty]

If you set up a customer table, and a Job table with some dummy details I can adapt m existing db for that. You can zip the dummy database and post it here I will incorporate your tables.

 

[markpuk]

Hiya,

Having real trouble compressing the thing, so I've shoved it on dropbox. It's just one table, as that's all I need I think, it's at very early stages so there is still stuff that needs formatting etc, but hopefully you'll get the idea...

Mark.

As I've not posted enough, this forum won't let me post a link. Is there a way of PMing the info to you ?

 

[Minty]

Do a compact and repair on the stripped down db then zip it.