Code an image viewer inside XL

I am using Office 2003 on Win XP.

Is it possible to code a simple image viewer inside an MS-Excel sheet;
perhaps code the drawing of an ActiveX control or some such control and then
allow the user to select a subfolder of images to display. There would need
to be a scroll button or other control to allow the user to scroll forward
and backward through the images contained in the folder.

I thought of just using the file open dialog and then switch the view to
thumbnail, but the images don't display large enough or in enough detail.

Any ideas? Thanks.

this would be a good start:

http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/lookuppics.html

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy


"quartz" wrote:

> I am using Office 2003 on Win XP.
>
> Is it possible to code a simple image viewer inside an MS-Excel sheet;
> perhaps code the drawing of an ActiveX control or some such control and then
> allow the user to select a subfolder of images to display. There would need
> to be a scroll button or other control to allow the user to scroll forward
> and backward through the images contained in the folder.
>
> I thought of just using the file open dialog and then switch the view to
> thumbnail, but the images don't display large enough or in enough detail.
>
> Any ideas? Thanks.

Thanks Tom, interesting approach, the problem is, the images I'm working with
will be pretty dynamic, but this idea does put some wheels in motion.

I suppose I could code a program to copy the names of all the images into a
drop down from which the user would pick one; the program would then draw the
image.

Due to many users, I was hoping that each user could load a viewer which
they could drag to the appropriate max size for their screen, then all
subsequent images will fill the space available.

Bearing in mind that we need an in-house developed VBA solution, any other
thoughts? I noticed that there is a "SnapShotViewer" control, but I don't
know what it is or how to code it...

Thanks again for any further input.

"Tom Ogilvy" wrote:

> this would be a good start:
>
> http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/lookuppics.html
>
> --
> Regards,
> Tom Ogilvy
>
>
> "quartz" wrote:
>
> > I am using Office 2003 on Win XP.
> >
> > Is it possible to code a simple image viewer inside an MS-Excel sheet;
> > perhaps code the drawing of an ActiveX control or some such control and then
> > allow the user to select a subfolder of images to display. There would need
> > to be a scroll button or other control to allow the user to scroll forward
> > and backward through the images contained in the folder.
> >
> > I thought of just using the file open dialog and then switch the view to
> > thumbnail, but the images don't display large enough or in enough detail.
> >
> > Any ideas? Thanks.

If you want an embedded control that provides an interface for the user to
load images - I would suspect there are some, but I am not familiar with
them.

--
Regards,
Tom Ogilvy


"quartz" wrote:

> Thanks Tom, interesting approach, the problem is, the images I'm working with
> will be pretty dynamic, but this idea does put some wheels in motion.
>
> I suppose I could code a program to copy the names of all the images into a
> drop down from which the user would pick one; the program would then draw the
> image.
>
> Due to many users, I was hoping that each user could load a viewer which
> they could drag to the appropriate max size for their screen, then all
> subsequent images will fill the space available.
>
> Bearing in mind that we need an in-house developed VBA solution, any other
> thoughts? I noticed that there is a "SnapShotViewer" control, but I don't
> know what it is or how to code it...
>
> Thanks again for any further input.
>
> "Tom Ogilvy" wrote:
>
> > this would be a good start:
> >
> > http://www.mcgimpsey.com/excel/lookuppics.html
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> > Tom Ogilvy
> >
> >
> > "quartz" wrote:
> >
> > > I am using Office 2003 on Win XP.
> > >
> > > Is it possible to code a simple image viewer inside an MS-Excel sheet;
> > > perhaps code the drawing of an ActiveX control or some such control and then
> > > allow the user to select a subfolder of images to display. There would need
> > > to be a scroll button or other control to allow the user to scroll forward
> > > and backward through the images contained in the folder.
> > >
> > > I thought of just using the file open dialog and then switch the view to
> > > thumbnail, but the images don't display large enough or in enough detail.
> > >
> > > Any ideas? Thanks.

This is kind of primitive but maybe this will get you started:

Create a blank userform with this code
on your userform module:

Private Sub UserForm_Initialize()
fsFile = Application.Selection.Value
UserForm1.Caption = fsFile
UserForm1.Picture = LoadPicture(fsFile)
End Sub

Private Sub UserForm_Click()
Unload Me
End Sub

This allows loading a picture on the form using a filepath
that you an import onto your excel sheet.
The code picks up the filepath you have selected on
your excel sheet. When you click the userform,
it unloads.

On your excel sheet create a command button.
On your standard module add this code:

Dim fsFile As FileSearch

Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
UserForm1.Show vbModeless
End Sub

On your excel sheet you will need to import a file list of
images that the user can click on for example:

c:\wtc1.jpg
c:\chatwood1_la.jpg

-- Jim


quartz wrote:
> I am using Office 2003 on Win XP.
>
> Is it possible to code a simple image viewer inside an MS-Excel sheet;
> perhaps code the drawing of an ActiveX control or some such control and then
> allow the user to select a subfolder of images to display. There would need
> to be a scroll button or other control to allow the user to scroll forward
> and backward through the images contained in the folder.
>
> I thought of just using the file open dialog and then switch the view to
> thumbnail, but the images don't display large enough or in enough detail.
>
> Any ideas? Thanks.