How to Show Images in MS Access Form

Updated on:

May 12, 2026

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Use this interactive demo to learn how to display images inside an MS Access form using the Attachment field.

Quick summary

To show images in an MS Access form, you need to add an Attachment data type field to your table and use the paperclip icon to attach image files directly to records. This method lets you store and display images inside Access forms without linking to external file paths.

Steps

Open your table in Design View.
Add a new field and set its data type to Attachment.
Switch to Datasheet View to return to the table's data entry mode.
Click the Attachment field for the target record, then click the paperclip icon to attach and add an image.

📌 Why this matters

Displaying images inside Microsoft Access forms is a common requirement for database applications that manage products, employees, or assets. Using the built-in Attachment data type, users can store and render images directly within Access records without relying on external file paths or linked OLE objects. This approach simplifies image management, reduces broken-link errors, and keeps visual data tightly coupled with its corresponding database record. Understanding this feature helps Access users build richer, more intuitive data entry forms with minimal configuration.

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