Solved: Excel 2007 _Can I store a HELP .txt file inside and .xlsm file?

[frank_m]

Excel 2007

Would I be able to store store a HELP .txt or .rtf file inside and .xlsm file?

I do not need to access it programmaticly, I merely want the file to be available in case of am emergency.
I figured that seeing that an .xlsm can be unzipped and contains other types of files and folders this might be possible.

Edit: of course if it could be opened programmaticly that would be all the better

Thanks

[Paul_Hossler]

I've used a blank worksheet to hold 'support' files, etc.

Insert, Object, Create From File. I usually leave 'Link to File" unchecked, and "Display as Icon" checked, but you can experiment

I did find that txt files (at least) seem like they can only be displayed as an icon regardless of setting, but PDF's will show as icon or the document

If you double click the icon, the supporting app opens in a new window

I hope someone can come up with a way to just 'read' the embedded file. I'd find that useful

My workwaround is to put the reference material into cells in a hidden worksheet, which is easily accessable to VBA

Paul

[frank_m]

Thanks Paul.

I'm sure what you provided me with will get me going in a good direction.

[Blade Hunter]

I usually use a form, you can make it pretty if you do need to display it .

[Paul_Hossler]

Actually, I do use a form to display the content of the cells by reading the cells into a list box on the form

Paul

[GTO]

...I hope someone can come up with a way to just 'read' the embedded file. I'd find that useful

My workwaround is to put the reference material into cells in a hidden worksheet, which is easily accessable to VBA

Paul

Hi Paul,

Hope I'm not misunderstanding... While this will not read the embedded object directly, would saving it temporarily help?

Adapted from: http://www.sqldrill.com/excel/progra...-filename.html

Option Explicit
    
Sub exa1()
Dim FSO             As Object ' FileSystemObject
Dim fsoFol          As Object ' Folder
Dim fsoStream       As Object ' TextStream
Dim fsoFile         As Object ' File
Dim myShell         As Object
Dim sFilNam         As String
Dim shp             As Shape
    
    Set FSO = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
    Set fsoFol = FSO.GetFolder(ThisWorkbook.Path & "\")
    
    If Not FSO.FolderExists(ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol") Then
        FSO.CreateFolder ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol"
    Else
        sFilNam = Dir$(ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol\*")
        Do While Not sFilNam = vbNullString
            Kill ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol\" & sFilNam
            sFilNam = Dir$
        Loop
    End If
    
    Set shp = Sheet1.Shapes("Object 1")
    shp.Copy
    
    Set myShell = CreateObject("Shell.Application")
    myShell.Namespace(CVar(ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol\")).Self.InvokeVerb "Paste"
    Set myShell = Nothing
    
    Set fsoFile = FSO.GetFile(ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol\" & Dir$(ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol\*"))
    
    Set fsoStream = fsoFile.OpenAsTextStream(ForReading)
    
    Do While Not fsoStream.AtEndOfStream
        'do whatever
        Debug.Print fsoStream.ReadLine
    Loop
    fsoStream.Close
    
    Set fsoFile = Nothing
    Set fsoStream = Nothing
    
    sFilNam = Dir$(ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol\*")
    Do While Not sFilNam = vbNullString
        Kill ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol\" & sFilNam
        sFilNam = Dir$
    Loop
    
    FSO.DeleteFolder ThisWorkbook.Path & "\tempfol"
End Sub

Not well tested, but seems to work

Mark