Pictures,text, and blob type fields have the option of being stored outside of the datafile. This will reduce the size of the data file.

To set the storage location of the data, go to the structure and click on the field to open the inspector. If the field is of type Picture, Text, or Blob, a stored properties is displayed, followed by a dropdown menu. This menu will allow the location of that particular field to be stored either inside the datafile, or outside the datafile.



If outside datafile is chosen, by default, an external folder will be created ending in “.ExternalData”. This folder will be placed in the same location as the data file. Inside this folder, folders for the tables and fields are automatically created. In the corresponding table/field folder, the data (picture,text,blob) is created and stored.

Pictures are stored as the format they were saved in (.png, .jpeg, .gif, etc…)
Text are stored as text files (.text)
Blobs are stored as blob files (.blob)

Note: Do not move the location of the folder “.ExternalData”.

To set a custom location, use SET EXTERNAL DATA PATH. This command can be placed in the on validate button of the input form, or before Save Record command.