Sharing Information and Adding OLE

With Visual FoxPro, you can employ the strengths of other applications by sharing information with them. You can copy and paste data between applications, create mail merges using data from Visual FoxPro tables, link or embed data from other applications, and import or export data between applications. By sharing information, you can save time and avoid errors. For example, instead of entering results from Excel in a table, you can copy the results from Excel or link to Excel to get the results automatically.

In addition, you can extend the power of your Visual FoxPro applications by employing the strengths of other Automation-enabled applications or ActiveX controls. In the forms or General fields of your applications, you can include specific functionality or data such as text, sound, pictures, and video from other applications. You can view or manipulate this data visibly by using the application that created it; or, you can manipulate the data invisibly and automatically by controlling the application with Automation.

Other applications also can tap into the power of Visual FoxPro through Automation. You can even create Automation servers (COM components) in Visual FoxPro that your applications or other applications can access locally and remotely.

In This Section

• Dynamic Information Sharing
  In Visual FoxPro, you can include data from other applications dynamically and still have those applications maintain the data by linking or embedding it in your application.
• The Design of an OLE Application
  Automation-enabled applications and COM components can act as Automation servers, clients, or both.
• Adding OLE Objects to Applications
  You can add OLE objects to tables and forms interactively or programmatically.

Related Sections

• Extending Applications
  To extend a basic Visual FoxPro application, you can enable it to work for multiple users, take advantage of ActiveX controls and automation-enabled applications, and add international capabilities.
• Programming for Shared Access
  If your application runs on a network or contains forms that access the same data, the application must share that data efficiently to provide maximum productivity.
• Developing International Applications
  Learn how to move your applications into the world market by designing them for effective international use.