[AccessD] Odd Attachment field types in query

No, the "attachment" field is actually three hidden fields: 1. the file  itself( word doc, jpg 
image, pdf file etc). 2. The file name, 3. The file extension.

When you "open an attachment", Access extracts the BLOB to a file stored in your IE cache 
folder (Something like C:\Users\Stuart\Appdata\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temorary Internet 
Files/ACCxxxxx\myfile.jpg) and then opens it with the default program configured on your PC 
for that type of file.   

So you just need any software that can handle files of the specific type.  If you don't have a 
default for the extension, you just get the standard  "WIndows can't open this file.... What do 
you want to do...."  dialog.

The file and folder are deleted once you close the application viewing the attachment - unless 
you save the file within the application, in which case the folder and file remain.

Note that even if you have Explorer set to show Hidden and System files, you can't see the 
folder ACCxxxx in Explorer. You can however get to it by  typing in the full path.   So unless 
you know exactly where it is  - you will have great difficulty  finding it again.   Like I've said 
before - it's messy.


 -- 
Stuart

On 31 Oct 2014 at 18:45, James Button wrote:

> Jim, et al.
> 
> Not using BLOBS in Access, would I be correct in thinking that the
> association is held within Access, so accessing the BLOB using a
> client PC may encounter problems if the client PC does not have the
> same software available as the base environment that was used to put
> the BLOB into the Access environment?
> 
> And - if the software is updated to a new version would that also
> cause problems?
> 
> JimB 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Dettman
> Sent: Friday, October 31, 2014 6:02 PM To: 'Access Developers
> discussion and problem solving' Subject: Re: [AccessD] Odd Attachment
> field types in query
> 
> 
>  There is no comparable data type in SQL server (or anywhere else). 
>  Same is
> true for MVF (Multi-Value Fields).   Hyperlinks can be converted over,
> but the loose all their "magic" as well.
> 
>  In the case of the attachment type, you need unpack everything out of
>  the
> DB into external files.  If you did that setup in the first place,
> there would be no changes to upsize.
> 
> Jim.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Susan
> Harkins Sent: Friday, October 31, 2014 11:03 AM To: Access Developers
> discussion and problem solving Subject: Re: [AccessD] Odd Attachment
> field types in query
> 
> How so?
> 
>  Becomes a real chore when you want to move the data anywhere
> > else (like SQL Server).
> >
> > Jim.
> >
> >
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