Importing a Graphic
Access lets you place a graphic on a form, just like it lets you place any other object on a form (like a field or a line of text, for instance). Once you place the graphic, you can move it around the same as any other object, too. To place a graphic on a form, followthese steps:
Display the form in Form Design view.
Select Insert, Picture. The Insert Picture dialog box appears (see Figure 16.1).
Figure 16.1. Choose the picture you want to import from this dialog box.
If you want to see only a certain file type on the list, open the Files of type drop-down list at the bottom of the dialog box, and choose the file type you want. By default, Graphics Files appears there, which includes all types of graphics files on the list, including clip art, bitmap files (created with Windows Paint program), and more.
Change the drive or folder if necessary to locate the graphic file you want. (See Lesson 6 if you need help navigating the drives and folders.)
(Optional) If you are not sure which file you want, click the Preview button in the dialog box. The view changes to show the currently highlighted file (see Figure 16.2). Click various files on the list to preview them before you make your selection.
Figure 16.2. You can preview graphics before you import them.
When you've found the graphic you want to import, click OK. It appears on your form.
Drag the graphic to the desired location.
If desired, resize the graphic by dragging one of its selection handles (see Figure 16.3).
My Picture Is Changing Shape!
Hold down the Shift key while dragging to maintain the aspect ratio (the ratio of height-to-width). If you don't hold down Shift, Access allows you to squash or elongate the picture as you resize.
Figure 16.3. Drag a selection handle to resize a graphic.
