>>Hi All:
>>
>>My client wants to associate JPG, XLS and DOC files with his customer database. I was thinking of storing the name in a field and then invoking the right program via office automation when he requests it. Any references that anyone can point me to in helping me with this project?
>>
>>As far as I know, a GENERAL field only handles pictures. Is this right?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Yossi
>
>General is very problematic - not because it handles only pictures, but because it is very hard to get things out of it. Also because the size of the DBT (memo) file will increase much faster than the contents stored.
>
>Even if you use a BLOB field, you might quickly reach the Visual FoxPro limit of 2 GB per file, so storing only the filenames is the only sensible thing to do.

Alternatively, you may not have to store even a file name; just use a naming convention instead -- e.g., make the name of the associated file (graphic, doc, whatever) a function of the PK of the table record and the name of the control used to display it in the app. (Depends on the requirements of the app, of course.)

-m.