6 Methods to Fix Attachment Control Is Not Working Issue in Access

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Microsoft Access offers an excellent feature to its users to add the attachments to the records or fields in the database form. But sometimes, it happens that attachment control is not working which restricts users from adding an attachment field to form/report using VBA code. So, if you are one such user and facing the same problem, then you are at the right place.

This article delves into methods that can potentially help you troubleshoot MS Access attachment control not working issue.

So, let’s dive in…

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Quick Fixes:

What Is Attachment Control in Microsoft Access?

According to the update in September 2021, MS Access doesn’t have an “Attachment Control” feature. This feature was available in earlier versions of Access including 2019, 2016, 2013, and prior versions.

However, Access Attachment Control is a feature that helps to add and manage attachment fields to form/report using VBA code in the Access database.

Why Attachment Control Is Not Working?

There are a wide variety of reasons that can trigger attachment not working issue. Here I have shortlisted the most common causes:

  1. Due to incompatible database format.
  2. The Access database file is corrupted.
  3. Incorrect Access Security Settings or Form Control Settings.
  4. Missing/broken references.
  5. Outdated Access application.
  6. Insufficient permission to access the data.

How to Fix MS Access Attachment Control Not Working Issue?

Well if you are unable to use attachments in your database then try the following fixes to get yourself out of this situation.

Method 1- Try Adding The Attachment Field In Datasheet View

You can solve this issue by adding the attachment field in the Datasheet View. Follow the below steps:

  • Open your Access table in datasheet view and hit the first blank column available there. If you are facing a problem in fetching the first blank column then search for “Add New Field” word in the header column.

Adding The Attachment Field In Datasheet View

  • Now tap on the datasheet tab, and get into the Data Type & Formatting. Hit the down arrow which is present just next to the data type option. After that click attachment.

Adding The Attachment Field In Datasheet View 2

  • Access will set the attachment data type for the field. And put an icon in the header row of the field.
  • In the shown figure you can see a new attachment field. You will see a paper clip icon in the field’s header row.

Adding The Attachment Field In Datasheet View 3

  • You can’t insert any text in the attachment field’s header row, by default.
  • It’s time to save all your changes.

Remember:

You can’t convert a new field to some other data type. However, there is an option to delete the field if any error occurs.

Method 2- Try To Add Attachment Field In the Design View

Another option that you can try to tackle the situation is to add an attachment field in the Design view. Follow the below steps

  • In the Access database navigation pane, make a right-click over the table in which you want to make changes. Now on the shortcut menu, tap to the Design View.

Adding The Attachment Field In Datasheet View 1

  • From the Field Name column, you have to choose a blank row and then assign a name for the Attachment field.
  • Being in the same row, tap on the Data Type, choose the Attachment option.

Adding The Attachment Field In Datasheet View 2

  • Save all the changes you have made.

Method 3- Check the Form Control Settings

Incorrect Form Control Settings can also lead to attachment control not working issue. Checking and correcting the form’s Control Source settings can easily fix it. Here’re the steps:

  • Firstly, open a form in the Design View.
  • Then, click the faulty attachment.
  • Under Property Sheets, you have to click the Data.
  • There, tick mark the option “Control Source”. It ought to be set to the Attachments.

Form Control Settings

  • Finally, save the changes.

Method 4- Check the Database File Format

To fix the attachment control problem, you can even check the db file format in which you’re attempting to add the Attachment. Follow the below instructions carefully to do so:

  • Open Access, go to the File >> Open.
  • Choose the preferred file (.mdb).
  • Again, click File >> Save As >> Save Database As.

attachment control is not working

  • Choose the Access file type>> Save As.

Method 5- Check the File Permissions to Fix Access Attachment Control is Not Working

Many users have conveyed that they were unable to add an attachment field to form/report using VBA code due to a lack of required permission for the file.

Therefore, ensure you have the necessary file permissions to add and manage the attachment field to report. If not, you can get the permissions to Access database.

Method 6- Repair Corrupt Access DB File

Sometimes Access attachments won’t work due to corruption. So in that case, use the Compact and Repair tool. However, for severe database corruption, you can use the Access Database Repair software which is particularly designed to repair severely corrupt or damaged MS Access database files. It comes with a powerful algorithm that scans even severely corrupted Access database files.

* By clicking the Download button above and installing Stellar Repair for Access (14.8 MB), I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy of this site.

Here are some highlighting features of this tool:

  • It also has a highly interactive GUI that helps users to easily operate and repair Access database without making changes in the original structure of the file.
  • It easily restores damaged or corrupt tables, queries, indexes, and other data.
  • This tool can easily fix all minor and major database errors and problems of MS Access 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, 2000 on almost all versions of Windows operating system such as Windows 8/7/Vista/XP/2003.
  • You have the option to opt for the Free trial version of this software to check the features and reliability of the software.

Steps to Use This Tool:

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FAQ:

What Is Attachment Data Type In Access?

It’s a special kind of data type which allows its a user to add an attachment to some specific field along with the numeric or textual information.

If you wish to make fields in which you can keep information like a combination of attachment and text. For such cases using attachment data type is best to use.

However, this attachment datatype has also some terms and conditions to get used. Here are the guidelines which you need to follow while using the attachment datatype in Access.

  • Data that you need to attach must not be more than 256 MB in size.
  • If you want to edit, add, or delete the attached items in your database then do it only with the Attachments dialog box.
  • Once you hit the attachment option, a new item will start appearing in the reports or forms Reports toolbox. You can use it at the time of designing your database.
  • You can edit the already existing attachment if and only if the program which was used at the attachment creation time is still available on your local PC.
  • Compress all the files before storing them up in the database.
  • You can use the attachment present anywhere on the hard disk or over the network.
  • To use the attachments programmatically, you need to use the VBA code.
What Is The Diffrence Between Access OLE Object Vs Attachment

Attachments keep data in a more efficient way.  Previously, MS Access used Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) for storing up the documents and images.

By default, this OLE creates a bitmap for each attached document or image. Those bitmap files are quite large in size around 10 times bigger than the original one.

When you see the document or image from the database, OLE displays the bitmap image instead of the original file.

Whereas the attachments, open your non-image files and documents in their parent program i.e. in the Access database only. So you can make an easy search for your files and can edit it.

OLE needs a program known as OLE servers to function. E.g: if you have stored a JPEG image in your Access database. In that case, the PC in which you are running your database must have a program that is registered as OLE server for such type of JPEG images.

On the other hand, Access stores your attached files in its native format and you don’t need to install any additional software to view the images from your database.

Wrap Up

The very obvious reason behind this Access Attachment Control Not Working issue is that you are not properly following the guidelines for using attachments. So use it attachment datatype carefully in your database and try the mentioned fixes to resolve the Attachment Not Working issue.

tip Still having issues? Fix them with this Access repair tool:

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  1. Download Stellar Repair for Access rated Great on Cnet (download starts on this page).
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Pearson Willey is a website content writer and long-form content planner. Besides this, he is also an avid reader. Thus he knows very well how to write an engaging content for readers. Writing is like a growing edge for him. He loves exploring his knowledge on MS Access & sharing tech blogs.