Microsoft AccessReplace the Paperclip Icon of Attachment Fields with a Column Name in Microsoft Access Tables in ACCDB Databases

In Access 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016 databases (ACCDBs), the Attachment field type lets you add multiple files to each record in the table, similar to how you can attach files to emails.

For instance, add an attachment field named "Documents":

documents

Attachment Field Paper ClipWhen you view the table in Datasheet view, the attachment field shows a paperclip icon in the column header:

paperclip icon

This is often fine in tables with only one attachment field, but what if you have more than one? In this case, you see two columns with the paperclip icon, with no way to visually distinguish between them:

two columns

To solve this issue, simply set the field’s Caption property:

caption property

Now, when you view the table in Design view, the Caption shows as the column header instead of the paperclip icon:

design view


Total Visual SourceBook Modules for Microsoft Access, VBA, and VB6Additional Resource

Our Total Visual SourceBook royalty-free code library has a module for managing Microsoft Access Attachment Fields in VBA and VB6 (add, edit, delete, export).

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