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Modify and Save Word File Stored in Table

Dear Experts,

My name is Lisa and I am new to Experts Exchange.

I am helping a friend develop the capability to open an attachment file from a document table (tbl_Document) and then edit and save it as a PDF and restore it in another table (tbl_Register) for government auditing and mailing purposes.

She is using office 2010 Home & Business and has Access 2010 installed.

I have taken the liberty of enclosing a sample db with the two tables which includes the sample Letter in docx format stored in the table called tbl_Document.

Any help or guide on this would be greatly appreciated.

Wishing well.
Lisa
Database1.accdb
Avatar of Boyd (HiTechCoach) Trimmell, Microsoft Access MVP 2010-2015
Boyd (HiTechCoach) Trimmell, Microsoft Access MVP 2010-2015
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Lisa,

I think most will agree ha the Best Practices is to NOT store the documents inside the table. You should only store the path to the file.

I have worked with many document management systems and create several.  I have yet to see a good one store the documents in the database.

I know of one situation where a Access database (.accdb) became corrupted and they lost all their documents because they were stored in the only in the database. They did not have a recent backup so they lost a lot of stuff.

If you must store them in the database I would urge you to upsize the back end to MS SQL Server 2012.

I would recommend purchasing a good document manageme3nt system. Once you have learned how the work, if you feel that you have outgrown them, then it may be time to re-create your own.

Here is an example of what you are trying to create:  http://www.efilecabinet.com/


ALso check ou the free version of Alfresco  ( http://www.alfresco.com/products/document-management ) They do have a free version.
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ASKER

Dear HiTechCoach,

Thanks for your informative reply.

All points noted.

With that said, moving towards your suggested solution of storing the documents outside the db in respective folders, is this easy to do?

I  don't want to incur any cost as I am doing this as a favour for a friend (and learning myself). I want to be sure that she can access the files directly from a form in Access, modify them, then save them to their respective external folder etc.

Is this an easier solution, if so, do you have any tips?

Wishing well,
Lisa
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Boyd (HiTechCoach) Trimmell, Microsoft Access MVP 2010-2015
Boyd (HiTechCoach) Trimmell, Microsoft Access MVP 2010-2015
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Hi again,

Thanks so much for your help with this. It is very useful.

I think what you have provided in your sample db file will suffice for me to get started.

I used to program in VBA a lot but, I am rusty as hell and only worked with Office 2k and 2003.

I have also bought Access 2007 VBA Programmers reference on e-bay this morning to help me learn more as well as I am keen to get back into it. I am a stay at home mother and am wanting to get back into work.

I like your last link. It makes a lot of sense! Freebies are dangerous I agree. But, I have known this friend for a very long time and she has done a lot for me so I would like to return some of her favours in good faith.

Thanks again.

Wishing well.
Lisa
Great help from a very knowledgeable Expert. Thanks HiTechCoach!