I have created a couple of Microsoft Access (2013) databases, let’s call them DB1 and DB2. In both databases I have created a report that contains images. Now I do not store the image file in the database in an attachment file, but rather I store the path and file name. I then link to the file in the report. This has the advantage of keeping the actual database size small. Both databases are experiencing the same issue, but in different ways.
In DB1, I have Report1. This report contains 5 images on the page. When I print preview the report everything looks fine. When I export/print to PDF, some of the images are missing in the resulting PDF file. My users feel it is a image file size issue as they have “compressed” the file to get around the issue. I would have agreed with this assessment except for how DB2 is behaving.
In DB2, I have Report2. Report two can contain up to 4 images. Now this report also has a couple of logos at the bottom. One logo file size is 455KB and the other is 40KB. The photos are anywhere from 100KB to 3MB in size. The only images that disappear are the logos. When they do disappear, it is random on which one or both or neither.
Anyone got any suggestions or a solution?
2 Spice ups
Are images set to zoom, clip or stretch? As far as i recall, the zoom option does not always work well when printing and this might explain why some images are previewing but not printing to PDF.
I had an issue with images not showing in 2016 - installing latest updates fixed it. This seems to be a different issue but I would make sure all updates are installed anyhow.
Images are set to zoom. Clip only gave a part of the image. Stretch distorted the image.
All the latest updates are installed.
If you set to stretch or clip they do actually display though? I think you will need to set to stretch and resize the box to avoid distortion or set to clip and resize the image to suit. Are the boxes / images always consistent size?
Resizing the box would only work if I could predict the image size and orientation. When you mention “resize” the image are you talking about the resolution of the image or the file size? Even the image that I mentioned is 40KB in size also disappears on some pages of the report.
Right now when an image (ie digital photo) does not show up, my users use Microsoft Picture Manager from Office 2010 and tell it to “Compress Pictures”. Now what this does exactly I do not know. But the result then lets the picture show in the report.
My goal is to eliminate this step. It can be time consuming particularly if you have 3000+ photos. Plus it probably reduces the quality of the image. I also do not like having parts of Office 2010 left installed when we are running Office 2013.
Yes, by resizing the image I mean change the resolution. I don’t think the size of the file should matter unless they are very large. What format are the images in - jpeg / bitmap / png / etc.? Do you have a fixed stock of images or are new ones added on an ongoing basis?
The images are in JPG format. We inventory various assets (ie bridges, signs, pavement, etc.) for various counties. All the photos should be shot at the same resolution. Is there a maximum resolution that Microsoft Access can handle consistently?
I don’t think there is a maximum resolution. As the files are all the same resolution I would try changing the control size to the same proportions as the resolution (e.g. if pic is 1024 x 768 pixels then set the control to 10cm x 7.5cm). Then set it to Stretch mode and there will be no distortion.
