Open Image in Excel Program

Why would you want to do this? You would probably have to make it an exe file....

http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?498845-Make-exe-file-for-excel-vba-code

Different computer do different things. It depends on the default set up of the computer. You will have to change that in order to get the same result on every computer. How you do this is the question and if you can, because it means you change system setting from within excel. This will be regarded a malicious action and is probably prohibited or not even possible.

Why not include the picture in the excel file?

"Why not include the picture in the excel file?"

I can't put picture directly into excel file, because I have a table of 500 rows and if a person is interested to open a row 450, there is a hyperlink to open only that picture and I need to control that every person opens it in the same program.

I think using a fine 3rd party Image SDK which allows you do batch processing to the images can make the process much more convenient. Don't you think so?

Do you want the others you are sharing this excel file with to edit the image? There is no reason to open a .jpg in Paint unless the purpose is to edit. I expect most users have Windows Explorer set up to open image files in their favorite viewer like photo gallery as default. I think photo gallery is also the MS factory default. Right clicking the image file and selecting "open with" will get you to a dialogue box where you can change that default for the computer.

Changing a user's OS settings with a hyper link would, as posted by others, be considered malicious and making the link to an .exe would likely activate some computers' virus filters or cause emails with your file to be blocked. However, if you have a valid user account on those other computers then you should be able to change YOUR settings to what you want without causing other valid users headache.

If you need to use Paint, have you looked into making your link an excel macro that opens the application you want, then the file you want (Solareagle's post?)? I don't personally know how to do that, but it may be possible. That still could get this file blocked as an email attachment though, because of the unknown macro.

"right clicking the image file and selecting "open with" will get you to a dialogue box where you can change that default for the computer."

I try that but still doesn't work

hmmm... maybe the best way is to create a macro, like solareagle suggest. The only problem is, because my knowledge stops here in writing vba code.

I need to learn that, but where are some books that are not with 500 pages, which don't get me wrong, they are good, but with my lack of timem they are a little inappropriate

simke,

Ever since the days of the first personal computers, every file has an extension (.xxx or .xxxx) that describes to the operating system the type of file that created or is to open this file. This data is stored in a table of file associations buried somewhere in the computer (normally accessed in "My computer", but with different ways to get to it depending on the particular operating system). Many programs can open and read/edit a .jpg file. When one is downloaded or installed the installation program will (typically) suggest that this program become the "default" one to open that type of file (often this setting of default is ignored or missed). Your computer and the .xls file you have created cannot control the file associations in the user's computer. At best you can include an instruction with the program that tells the user that there are linked files with a .jpg type, so the user can take any needed steps to allow the .xls program to open them within the spreadsheet.

--JMM

jmueller,

Thank you for your reply.

I think I will use macro to open a external file, with a external program. I search the web and found the Shell function, which force the user to open a image in defined program and only take action in this workbook. I like that.

I agree that you can also open them within the spreadsheet. This is also a good way, but I will choose or try with the macro and then will see what happens

Thanks everyone for your comment

Have your considered tricking the OS? What if you did the following:

1. Change the extension on your set of jpg image files so that they are unique. This would be an extension that is not likely to be used by any other application.

2. Instruct your users to add the association to they computer to the view the files with the unique extension in the application of your choice. (I suppose you could use an installer to perform this association.)

Implementing the above would require testing with each of the operating systems and versions of viewer which are to be supported. Or you could perhaps provide an open office viewer or share ware viewer and supply it with your excel & image files.

Excellent idea and out of the box thinking! I like it! GA for you there!

I would embed the images on a separate sheet within the XL workbook, and link to the sheet (& box at the upper left of the location). Returning to where the person was in the spreadsheet is just a click on the original tab - linked box will still be highlighted.

This eliminates the risk of losing the link when the file structure is changed.

HI there

I am testing related program which supports users to open image in Excel files directly as requested.And i need a free trial or free program to have a try.It should involve a detailed tutorial.Thanks a lot