Overview of the OLE Services

The Windows version of 4D Dimension allows you to work with OLE (Object Linking Embedding) objects in your layouts. In addition, OLE objects can be automatically saved and loaded from BLOB or picture fields.

Note: OLE services for 4D are only available under Windows.

An OLE object can contain any type of data created and handled by Windows OLE applications such as the Windows Paint desk accessory. In addition to the regular 4D data types (such as Alphanumeric, Numeric and so on), OLE services for 4D let you store and manage any data type created in Windows, including multimedia.

If you use a Windows word processor or spreadsheet that implements OLE services, you will be able to directly store documents from these applications in your 4D databases. For example, with the powerful database features of 4D, you will able to create customized archiving systems for storing, retrieving, and tracking your documents.

You access OLE services in 4D through OLE areas. The size and location of these areas depend on the use you want to make of them.

OLE areas can be created in two environments:

• In external windows, dedicated to using an OLE area. This possibility is described in the Creating an OLE Area in an External Window section.

• In a 4D form. In this case, the area is included in fields, variables, other external areas, etc., that you have inserted into your form. This possibility is described in the Creating an OLE Area in a Form section.

Once the OLE areas have been created, you can use OLE services in Application or Design mode. There are two possibilities for doing this:

• Using the area "manually" via a context menu. This menu appears when you click on the OLE area with the right-hand button of the mouse. These functions are described in the Using an OLE Area chapter.

• Using one of four programming commands provided by the OLE Tools plug-in. These commands let you automate certain OLE functions. They are described in the OLE_Tools Commands chapter.