How to delete all embedded objects in Word and PowerPoint using Open XML SDK?

Question

I am trying to delete all embedded object from Word and PowerPoint files using openxml SDK. I am new to Open XML and not sure whether I am doing this correctly. Below is the code I have. My intention is to remove any objects embedded and to delete images embedded. Both codes when executed are giving errors.

Code that I tried to delete all embedded items in the document.

using (var wdDoc = WordprocessingDocument.Open(wordFilePath, true))
{
    var docPart = wdDoc.MainDocumentPart;
    var document = docPart.Document;
    var embeddedObjectsCount = docPart.EmbeddedObjectParts.Count();
    while (embeddedObjectsCount > 0)
    {
        docPart.DeletePart(docPart.EmbeddedObjectParts.FirstOrDefault());
        embeddedObjectsCount = docPart.EmbeddedObjectParts.Count();
    }
}

Code that I tried to delete all images in the document. (This works partially if I don't have any objects embedded in the document.)

using (var wdDoc = WordprocessingDocument.Open(wordFilePath, true))
{
    var docPart = wdDoc.MainDocumentPart;
    var document = docPart.Document;
    var imageObjectsCount = docPart.ImageParts.Count();
    while (imageObjectsCount > 0)
    {
        docPart.DeletePart(docPart.ImageParts.FirstOrDefault());
        imageObjectsCount = docPart.ImageParts.Count();
    }
}

When I run the above code the file I use is getting corrupted. I would like to know how to remove all embedded objects from Word without corrupting the file.

I haven't done anything on PowerPoint yet, but I hope it would be similar to Word document.

My code is partially the same, are you closing the document after executing ? — EasyE
I haven't yet understood the concept of Open XML completely. The reference codes available on MSDN does not show the closing part. Could you please explain? I think the using will take care of closing the file. — Kannan Suresh
I am assuming that you are opening an existing word doc since you are trying to delete already embedded object correct ? — EasyE
That block of code you are running should not corrupt a file, I am guessing that the using block is not actually closing your file and it is becoming corrupt, a good place to start is identifying what version of ooxml you are using. MSDN is sometimes outdated and misleading, try looking here openxmldeveloper.org this place has easily digestible articles that can lead you in the right direction. Also make sure you do a compatibility check of your ooxml version with the version of office you are using. — EasyE

Kannan Suresh Kannan Suresh · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-15T07:02:38

I managed to find a solution for my problem. I had to dive in to the concepts of Open XML SDK to get this. However, I am not so sure on whether this is the optimal solution.

Goal

Remove all embedded objects in PowerPoint and Word.
Remove all images in PowerPoint and Word.

For Word

//using Ovml = DocumentFormat.OpenXml.Vml.Office;
//Determine whether there are any Embedded Objects in the document
using (var wdDoc = WordprocessingDocument.Open(wordFilePath, true))
{
    var docPart = wdDoc.MainDocumentPart;
    var docHasEmbeddedOleObjects = document.Body.Descendants<Ovml.OleObject>().Any();
    if (docHasEmbeddedOleObjects)
    {
        foreach (var oleObj in document.Body.Descendants<Ovml.OleObject>())
        {
            oleObj.Remove(); //Remove each ole object in the document. This will remove the object from view in word.
        }
        //Delete the embedded objects. This will remove the actual attached files from the document.
        docPart.DeleteParts(docPart.EmbeddedObjectParts);
        //Delete all picture in the document
        docPart.DeleteParts(docPart.ImageParts);
    }
}

For PowerPoint

using (var ppt = PresentationDocument.Open(powerPointFilePath, true))
{
    foreach (var slide in slides)
    {
        //Remove Ole Objects
        var oleObjectCount = slide.Slide.Descendants<OleObject>().Count();
        while (oleObjectCount > 0)
        {
            var oleObj = slide.Slide.Descendants<OleObject>().FirstOrDefault();
            var oleObjGraphicFrame = oleObj?.Ancestors<GraphicFrame>().FirstOrDefault();
            if (oleObjGraphicFrame != null)
            {
                oleObjGraphicFrame.RemoveAllChildren();
                oleObjGraphicFrame.Remove();
            }
            oleObjectCount = slide.Slide.Descendants<OleObject>().Count();
        }
        //Delete embedded objects
        slide.DeleteParts(slide.EmbeddedObjectParts);
        //Delete all pictures
        slide.DeleteParts(slide.ImageParts);
    }
}

How to delete all embedded objects in Word and PowerPoint using Open XML SDK?

2 Answers