Multiple Label Printing

[Gingerbread Man]

Hi

I have an FM database of 400 items containing codes + descriptions to print out onto labels. I have set up layouts of the 2 x Avery labels required. I have set a field containing a size code so I can search for all the items with large and all the items with small labels. Now I want to print them but some items I want 50 labels off, some I only want 6 off.

Anyone any idea how I set this up so each item has a code, a description, a label size and a number of labels reqired. I hit print and out they come.

It's all there apart from the printing problem. If I can't solve it I'm going to waste an awful lot of sheets of labels.

Regards

GBM

[BobWeaver]

Create a separate file (table) for label printing. Using a looping script, create a record for each label you want to print, and set a key field back to the label record in the original label file. So, if you need 10 copies of label 1, create ten records in the label print file and set the label key field to 1. Then if you need 50 copies of label 2, create 50 records and set the key field to 2, etc.

[Gingerbread Man]

Hi Bob

First of all many thanks, just a couple of things (isn't there always!!!). You'll have to bear with me. I'm not sure how to ceate a table file. Can you be more specific about the looping script. Can I use the item code number as the key field. I think that should do it but don't hold your breath!!!

Thanks again

Graham

[Reed]

He is using file and table interchangeably. before filemaker 7, each file could only have one table. Now you can have many tables per file.

Since you're on filemaker pro 5, you'll need to create a separate file just for your label layout. That file only needs one field (the item code number in your case) Create a relationship from that file to your data file (the one with all the descriptions) where the item code field in the label file is set equal to the item code field in the data file.

Now that the relationship is established, you can place fields from the data file directly on a label layout you created in the label file. The looping script will just populate the item code field in the label file with the correct item code from the data file. I would post an example, but I don't have a copy of FMP <7 anymore.

Set Field [gLoop;1]

Loop

   New Record/Request[]

   Set Field [item code ; whatever code]

   Exit Loop If [gLoop>gMax]

   Set Field [gLoop;gLoop+1]

End Loop

gMax is a global field where you can enter the number of labels you want to create in each run of the script. gLoop just increments on each iteration until you've created the number of labels you want.

[Reed]

Here is an example file. (I have a copy of FM5.5 at work)

data.fp5 contains all the data (in this case addresses)

labels.fp5 only contains a single key field to create a relationship to the data file

The script "loop" asks which data_id (which address) to use, and how many labels to create

Let me know if this helps,

Dana

labels.zip

[Gingerbread Man]

Hi Dana

Thanks for the script. Unfortunately I don't think I'm quite there yet. Can you just give me one more shot at getting my head round it.

Where do you state the number of labels required? There doesn't seem to be a field on either file to do this. When I try and run the script I get an error 'The previous script step "<unknown>" could not be completed. The only way I can create a number of lables is to import one and duplicate it the required number of times.

The attached 2 files are what I wish to achieve. I assume I will have to create a different file for each of the 2 label sizes which is not a problem it's just creating the required number of labels for each item that I still can't figure even with the script.

Thanks for bearing with me.

Graham

GBM

[Reed]

Sorry, I forgot that FMP5 and FMP 6 are not completely compatible. You probably don't have the Show Custom Dialog[] script step. That 's where I enter the values for what label and how many into global fields for use in the script. If I get a chance, I'll try to redo it without that step.

Dana

[Reed]

Here is a modified label script that doesn't use the custom dialog, and specifies the number of labels to create in the data file. I'm using a portal here to create the related records, so I have nested loops to loop through the data records and through the creation of portal rows (related records)

labels.zip

[Eaglmtn]

I'm doing something similar with labels for video tapes. Would like to enter a date range to limit the records being browsed to one week's worth of TV shows (5 days), select the number of labels to print for each (might be a different quantity), then select the label to start printing on....start with the 5th label down for example. I've been scratching my head for quite awhile about this one!

I'm using FM7 or Developer 7.

Any and all help is appreciated!

Edited July 19, 2005 by Guest