I am trying to make a printed report containing data from 3 related files for a cancer meeting. The three files (Treatments, Investigations and Pathology) can contain variable number of records. This works fine in Browse mode using portals and this is how the meeting is run. At the end we need to generate a report for filing in the patient history. Printing a list view of each means I need 3 pages minimum, when the amount of data in most cases will fit one page. I've tried putting portals in a report, but as the number of records varies there is either a lot of empty space or not enought portal rows. Any ideas appreciated.

You can specify that your portal should reduce in size when printed - see the sliding/printing features when you have selected your portal in layout mode, however you can only specify a maximum 1000 portal rows. Otherwise you need another DB to consolidate the relevant fields from the 3 main files and handle it as a traditional list of body content.

I've had trouble with portals printing incorrectly when sliding and breaking accross pages. To get around the problem you discuss, I have done it two different ways.

1) Create all three types of records in the same table and use the record type to display the correct records at the correct time.

2) Use a seperate print table and layout with records generated via a script for each printed report. The records are then deleted at the end of the print script.

The method you use will depend on your solution. For example you may not wish to redevelop your current tables so an additional table and script for the purposes of printing may be the way to go.

Portals are for viewing the data of a Related file. It has been recommended over and over again, on this Forum and others, that you set up your reports in the related files (the files where the data resides).

If you did a search of this forum using your keywords, you will find that this topic has been discussed many times. You will also find a few suggested workaround. Trying to make a report using a portal is the hard way.

HTH

Lee

Portals are for viewing the data of a Related file. It has been recommended over and over again, on this Forum and others, that you set up your reports in the related files (the files where the data resides).

My question was what do you do if the data comes from three Related files - how do you get it all to display on the one report ?