Print to file

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Posted on by Nayan Mansinha

1,245

Many screens in SL (we use 6.5) prints reports directly to printer. e.g. Allocation Processor (PA.PRO.00) runs the process and then prints to printer which is currently configured.

What I'm looking for is a way in which I can control this default behaviour and redirect the output to a file. One way to achieve is to set pdf printer before running this process. Another way is to set "Print to file" under Printer Setup (98.220.00). The problem with these two approaches is that users need to remember (many times does not) to set this prior to running the process. Is there a way by which when this screen is opened, I can write some VBA code that will change the printer setup? And then set it back to whatever it was before upon close.

To this effect, I came across RptRuntime in system database where I can set the ri_printer to A and ri_outfile to full path filename. This works except that the report gets exported in ASCII rather than pdf (which it does when "Print to file" is set).

Any hints, pointers, thoughts are appreciated.

TIA

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Cherie Kane 595 on at

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RE: Print to file

Nayan:

Did you have to create the ROI pre-process? I'm trying to do the same but for the Requisition module when the Reqs are generated into a PO.

Cherie
Nayan Mansinha 1,245 on at

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Re: Re: Re: Print to file

Atlast got this working. ROI pre-processors allow you to tweak rptRuntime entries at the very last moment before Crystal does its part. ROI user guide (pdf in User Manual folder) describes many ROI parameters that can be set using AddRIParam call in pre-processor. e.g. shown below:

    Dim ROIParms As String
    Dim RI_ID As Integer, ierr As Integer

    ' get RI_ID
    ROIParms = ApplGetParms()
    RI_ID = CInt(ROIParms)

    ' set the name of the printer to receive the report output. D = preview
    ierr = AddRIParam(RI_ID, "RI_PRINTER", "A") ' check ROI manual for declaration of AddRIParam
    If ierr <> 0 Then
         ' error
    End If
Nayan Mansinha 1,245 on at

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Re: Re: Print to file

I get that part. But that is not what I'm looking for. May be I did not frame the question correctly. Let me re-phrase:

I want to print to PDF only for some reports and not all. I dont want users to remeber everytime to switch the printer. So, effectively I want to automate the whole process of printing specific reports (eg. Allocation Process generated reports) to be printed as pdf and with unique names without user bothering themselves with the task.

Hope this clarifies what I'm looking for.

FYI I'm exploring pre-processors and RIParam to see if this will work out. Will keep posted.

TIA.
pbrattin 1,850 on at

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Re: Print to file

We use PrimoPDF, a printer driver that redirects output to a PDF file. The computer thinks it is a printer but is really a print to PDF. You can use it in all the screens and do not have to set the printer on th start-up page to use it.