SavePicture Statement

Saves a graphical image from a control or form to a file.

Syntax

SavePicture picture, stringexpression

Parts

• picture: Required. A property or graphic object from which to save the image. The image can be from the Picture property of a Form, PictureBox, or Image control, or from the Image property of a PictureBox or Form.
• stringexpression: Required. String expression specifying the name of the file to which the graphic is saved. Can include a drive and path specification.

Remarks

• File Format: SavePicture saves graphics in bitmap (.bmp) format. The file created is compatible with bitmap files created by other applications.
• Picture Property: When used with the Picture property, SavePicture saves the persistent bitmap from the property. This is the image loaded at design time or assigned at run time via LoadPicture or other means.
• Image Property: When used with the Image property, SavePicture saves the current appearance of the form or picture box, including any graphics drawn with graphics methods. This creates a snapshot of the visible content.
• File Path: If no path is specified, the file is saved in the current directory.
• Overwriting: If a file with the specified name already exists, it is overwritten without warning.
• Relative Paths: You can use relative path specifications (e.g., "..\Images\MyPic.bmp").
• Graphics Methods: To save graphics created with graphics methods (Line, Circle, PSet, etc.), you must use the Image property, not the Picture property.
• Clipboard Graphics: SavePicture can also be used with graphics from the Clipboard object.

Examples

Save Form's Picture Property

' Save the persistent bitmap from a form
SavePicture Form1.Picture, "C:\Images\Form1.bmp"

Save Form's Current Appearance

' Save the current appearance of a form (including drawn graphics)
SavePicture Form1.Image, "C:\Images\FormSnapshot.bmp"

Save PictureBox Image

' Save the picture from a PictureBox control
SavePicture Picture1.Picture, "C:\Temp\MyPicture.bmp"

Save with Variable Path

Dim FileName As String
FileName = "C:\Output\Image_" & Format$(Now, "yyyymmdd_hhnnss") & ".bmp"
SavePicture Picture1.Image, FileName

Save Clipboard Image

' Save an image from the clipboard
SavePicture Clipboard.GetData(), "C:\Temp\ClipImage.bmp"

Error Handling

On Error Resume Next
SavePicture Picture1.Picture, "C:\Images\Output.bmp"
If Err.Number <> 0 Then
MsgBox "Error saving picture: " & Err.Description
End If
On Error GoTo 0

Common Errors

• Error 53: File not found - the specified path does not exist
• Error 75: Path/File access error - insufficient permissions or read-only file
• Error 76: Path not found - invalid directory path

See Also

• LoadPicture function (load images from files)
• Picture property (persistent bitmap property)
• Image property (current appearance snapshot)
• Graphics methods (Line, Circle, PSet, etc.)

References

• SavePicture Statement - Microsoft Docs