Complexation of the thermochromic compounds N-5-chloro-salicylideneaniline and N-salicylidene-2-aminopyridine with cyclodextrins results in disappearance of thermochromic properties and appearance of photochromism. From uv, visible and fluorescence spectra in the crystalline state and supporting evidence from NMR spectra in solution the structure of the complexes is proposed.