Open MAP, set PushPin, add lat./lng of pushpin to recordset ?

[mminieri]

I have a database project (in MS Access 2016) and wish to add a mapping feature with the following functionality (via VBA is preferred);

1 – Create a FORM that includes display of a street map of a specific small city overall view (I can get the desired starting URL from Google or Bing maps). This can fill on Open or via a command button.

2 – The user manipulates that map’s controls in order to locate a target point that they desire, and manually MARK (such as by pushpin) that point.

3 – After marking the point they can press a command button which will then acquire the latitude and longitude of the point so marked (pushpin) and store that data in the current recordset. If that marked map image can be stored as a .jpg or similar, that would be a “bonus”.

4 – On the REPORT associated with that recordset, I would like to include a subREPORT that is an image of that map showing that pushpin…… either using the SAVED .jpg image OR created dynamically at Preview/Print so that it appears in the printed REPORT (whichever method is easier to code).

[twinnyfo]

OK - so normally we don't just post a full solution, but trying to describe this one step by step would be nearly impossible.

First, in your VBA Editor, go to Tools, References..., Browse: C:\Windows\SysW OW64\FM20.DLL and add it to your references. It may be in a different location on your machine.

Next, create a new stand alone module named modKeyStrokes:

Option Compare Database
Option Explicit
 
Public Declare Sub keybd_event Lib "user32" ( _
    ByVal bVk As Byte, _
    ByVal bScan As Byte, _
    ByVal dwFlags As Long, _
    ByVal dwExtraInfo As Long)
 
Declare Function GetKeyState Lib "user32.dll" ( _
    ByVal nVirtKey As Long) As Integer
 
Private Const vk_Tab = &H9 'TAB key
Private Const vk_Shift = &H10 'SHIFT key
Private Const vk_Control = &H11 'CTRL key
Private Const vk_KEYUP = &H2 'indicates the key being released
Private Const vk_C = 67
 
Public Function vkC()
    keybd_event vk_C, 1, 0, 0
End Function
Public Function vkShift()
    keybd_event vk_Shift, 1, 0, 0
End Function
Public Function vkShiftUp()
    keybd_event vk_Shift, 1, vk_KEYUP, 0
End Function
Public Function vkTab()
    keybd_event vk_Tab, 1, 0, 0
End Function
Public Function vkCtl()
    keybd_event vk_Control, 1, 0, 0
End Function
Public Function vkCtlUp()
    keybd_event vk_Control, 1, vk_KEYUP, 0
End Function

Then, in your Form, using a Command Button, place this code in the OnClick Event:

Private Sub cmdLatLong_Click()
On Error GoTo EH
    Dim objData     As New MSForms.DataObject
    Dim strTemp     As String
 
    AppActivate "Google Maps", False
    vkShift
    vkTab
    PauseEvent 0.25
    vkShift
    vkTab
    vkShiftUp
    PauseEvent 0.25
    vkCtl
    vkC
    vkCtlUp
    PauseEvent 0.25
    objData.GetFromClipboard
    strTemp = objData.GetText()
    Debug.Print strTemp
 
    Exit Sub
EH:
    MsgBox "There was an error getting the Lat/Long!" & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
        "Error: " & Err.Number & vbCrLf & _
        "Description: " & Err.Description & vbCrLf & vbCrLf & _
        "Please contact your Database Administrator.", vbCritical, "WARNING!"
    Exit Sub
End Sub
 
Public Function PauseEvent(ByVal Delay As Double)
    Dim dblEndTime As Double
 
    dblEndTime = Timer + Delay
    Do While Timer < dblEndTime
        DoEvents
    Loop
End Function

With Google maps, I have been unable to place a push pin and have the system recognize that push pin. However, with this method, the user can zoon in to wherever they want and Google Maps will save that view for future use.

ALso note, that this code is finicky at best and frustrating at worst. The user must be in Google Maps, with no bells and whistles shown and have most recently clicked, or double-clicked on the map itself.

Now, keep in mind that the only thing that this lengthy code is doing is copying and pasting the URL from Google Maps, which is just as easy for the user to do and using a Button to do it. But, this methodology could be used for some other features in your projects.

(Try to) Enjoy.

Hope this hepps!

[PhilOfWalton]

@Twinnyfo.

If it's any help, if you left click twice on Google Maps, you get a pushpin and box with an address with lat & long.

If you right click on the box, and choose "inspect" you get a page of HTML that can be read to give the Lat & Long and address.

I have a very complex routine that can read a web page of share prices, and this may well adapt to read these values.

Phil

[mminieri]

Thanks gentlemen as always. After I set the pushpin, then press the command button, I am not able to see where - if anywhere - the lat & lng of the pin was saved. Should there be somewhere in the code you posted to identify the table fields where these are to be stored?

[zmbd]

mminieri:
The code that twinnyfo posted is not saving the information at all instead it's sending it to the immediate window at Line 20 Debug.Print strTemp press <ctrl><g> to open the VBA editor and the immediate window - now go back the main Access interface (leave the VBE open), open your form, etc...
Once you click on the command button bring your VBE back to the front and you will see the string that twinnyfo mentions below his code block.

Also take note that he states that the Lat/Long is not being pulled using this code; instead, the url related to the map view is being pulled.

Mminieri, normally we don't provide full code or application development; however, a quick search of the internet found this: http://www.alfainfo.it/gps-latitude-...rosoft-access/ I believe that this is somewhat close to what it is that you are attempting to do so it may be a good starting point for use to work with - It's not exact but maybe close.