External Document Linking keypad A comprehensive integrated link framework is provided, allowing a wide range of external document types to be linked to all internal master records, and most transactional records. This enables users to link and access additional data such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings, quality plans, customer letters, pictures or web pages with a single click from a related record within the database. The framework is also available in open source with an Application Programmers Interface (API), to allow configuration of custom interfaces with proprietary object standards such as ActiveX. Links can be made to documents created using applications complying with the Microsoft Object Linking and Embedding (OLE2) protocol, such as stored Microsoft Word or Excel files. Supports standard document types such as jpeg, pcx, html, mpg, gif etc. ActiveX plug-in components, e.g. Adobe Acrobat, can be embedded to view appropriate data. External programs such as proprietary CAD viewers are opened automatically to view drawings or other linked files. Web pages can be linked for browsing, invoking a standard web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer. Functions on user's navigator can have external links to support access to business proceedure documents. caddrawing