Access Attachment Data Type: Use, Risks, Alternatives

In this Microsoft Access tutorial I will show you how to use the attachment data type, discuss why it is not recommended for most databases, explain the best alternatives to attachments, and demonstrate how to add, remove, and manage attachments in your tables and forms. You will also learn how to reduce database size after removing attachments and why storing file references is a better approach for long-term reliability.

Reed from Scottsdale, Arizona (a Silver Member) asks: I have some files and pictures, like resumes and employee photos, that I want to save with my data in Access. I heard you say it's not a good idea to use attachments for this, but I'm not really sure why. Can you explain?

Members

In the extended cut, we will learn how to use VBA to extract all attachments from a Microsoft Access database to a folder, including tagging which record each file belongs to, and I will show you how to programmatically remove all attachments from the database.

•  01. Free Video
•  02. Extended Cut Video - Silver Members
•  File Download - Gold Members

Silver Members and up get access to view Extended Cut videos, when available. Gold Members can download the files from class plus get access to the Code Vault. If you're not a member, Join Today!

Prerequisites

• Access Beginner 1

Links

• Compact & Repair
• Images
• Follow Hyperlink

Recommended Courses

• ABCD Core Part 5
• Access Imaging Seminar

Member Links

• Extract Attachments Code

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Keywords

TechHelp Access, ms access attachment data type, attach files to records, extract attachments vba, attachment alternatives, store file paths in table, database bloat attachments, compact and repair attachments, image storage references, document management access, followhyperlink command, remove attachments, access image display, attachment storage limits