Printing quantity based on variable

[Cong]

Is it possible to print a label X amount of times base on a variable in the database? The variable is not inputted by the user, but rather, is retrieved from a different database via odbc.

FileMaker Version: 6

Platform: Windows 2000

[Vaughan]

Search through the Forums, there have been a couple of solutions posted in the past.

Most involve either multiple layouts, or creating multiple records for each label.

[Cong]

I found two ways in the forum to get this done, however, both methods are not practical for what I need. The first method is to duplicate the record until you get the number of labels needed and the second is to write a loop that will send a print job of one label and loop it until you get the correct amount of labels. For small qty of labels, it is perfect. The average number of labels that are generally printed is around 1000. I have to believe there is an alternative method that creating 1000 identical records for every lot number or sending 1000 print jobs to the printer. Is there a way we can pass a variable to the print copies field when printing?

[Vaughan]

Maybe it can be done with a plug-in or a third-party scripting language like WinBatch.

Most people try to create solutions that avoid plug-ins or OS scripts because they add cost and complexity and make the solution less portable.

[Ender]

How about a script that loops through, filling 14 (Avery 5162) global text fields with the approriate label text. As it sets each field, it updates a counter, when the counter hits the number desired, it moves on to the next record. When all 14 fields are filled, it prints it, and starts again from the top.