adding external images to reports and publishing options 1

[bennyuk]

First time user (be gentle)

I have 3 questions

1. What is the best way to add external graphic files (ie not contained within db) to access reports? I need to add logos, and graphics next to certain fields.

2. Once I've cracked the graphic options, I need to share the report with users. Whats the best format to disseminate a report via network and email? (all viewers have access loaded)

3. Finally, I'd like to share a db report, but also allow viewers to be able to add comments in some way. I'm struggling on this and so far have only come up with the idea of creating another db that holds a read only copy of the original db, and has field that is editable to allow comments to be added. This all sounds messy, so would like to ask which approach the experts would recommend I take?

Any advise greatly appreciated, as I'm new to access.

Ben

 

[BakeMan]

The answer to your first question is dependant on exactly what you want from the graphics. If the graphics are not likely to change often I suggest using an image control. This will embed the picture in the database and make for the quickest retrieval. If the image changes often you should use an unbound object frame and link to the file. This will be slower but you will not have to replace the file every time it changes

The answer to your second question is also dependant on what you have available. I distribute all of my reports via an Intranet server. I print the reports to an Adobe PDF and place them on the server. I have set up several pages that contain links to the files. This has become such a good solution for us that I was asked to do this for about 50 different reports everyday. To cover such a large volume I created a VB program that opens each of the databases and prints the appropriate reports to the server. This is scheduled to run on my PC every night at midnight. This may be something you could look into to accomplish your goal.

The answer to your third question is a little more difficult. This also depends on what you have available to you. I would probably create an ASP that would allow the user to enter comments on a form and submit them back to the server. This would allow me save them in a database and display them back to the users on the form with the link to the PDF of the report.

These solutions are a little complicated and may not be possible for you in your environment but I hope they at least give you a few ideas. Feel free to post again with any more detailed questions.

Good Luck

BAKEMAN