Can I avoid printing a header?

[spongebob]

Hi dumbo question (its the simple things in life that are challenging):

I have a layout with a header that has my "Navigation Buttons" that you need to navigate my app.

The Body has the fields. The navigation buttons are set not to print thru the sliding/printing dialog.

When I print a record, a large gap is now left on the paper at the top where the header is. Nothing is in it as i told the nav buttons not to print.

Question: Can I avoid that gap, ie not print the header at all? Thats what I want if poss without creating a special "print layout" without the header because I actually have 40 layouts like that.

Any ideas?

Can it be done oh masters of the universe?

:

SpongBob

[Ender]

I always use separate Print layouts that are optimized for printing. The needs of data entry layouts are very different from the needs for a print layout. There usually distinct differences for the desired fonts, graphics, page size vs. window size, and then the presence or absence of buttons. If you optimize for data entry, you end up with terrible print layouts, and if you optimize for printing, you end up with terrible data entry screens.

[Baylah]

In layout mode,

select everything and move it below the header line, then grab the header tab and slide it off the page, then grab everything and move it up into place. Although, the last response was the best, you should always have a different layout for print and input.

Create your print layout and then use the very simple script:

Allow User Abort [off]

Set Error Capture [on]

Freeze Window

Go to Layout [your new print layout]

Print Set Up

Print

Go to layout [Original Layout]

This works well...Print scripts can be very powerful if used properly, but terribly difficult to understand in network environments.

Good Luck,

Steve

[Ender]

Print scripts can be very powerful if used properly, but terribly difficult to understand in network environments.

How so?

[John Mark Osborne]

Yes, the comment by Baylah about scripts in networked environments being difficult to understand seems peculiar. The only difference I can think of is record locking and globals. Once you understand how to gain control of a record and avoid looping scripts and how globals are local to each client, there isn't much else. There is some knowledge involved but let's not scare anyone.

[Baylah]

This might show my Intermediate Skill Level however, scenario:

FM Server with 20 clients, of those 20 clients each has a desk top printer for their low volume printing needs, and they "prefer" that printer to be their "default" printer. Then, in their FileMaker solution there are print scripts that call the high performance "networked" printer to perform a job, and preferebly do it "without dialog." In this case, in my experience, FMP will ignore the printer I have scripted and print to the default printer.

I can (and have)resolved this by making the network printer the default printer, but this has it's own issues as it is not what the client prefers.

It also makes priting to multiple printers like when one portion of a script prints to a label printer and the other portion prints to tractor fed invoice printer. I have not figured out a way to fully automate such an action with the "perform without dialog" option enabled when a local default printer has been assigned.

If you remove the "print without dialog" option this is a no brainer.

I have run into the same situation in a Terminal Server Environment. I have a VLA client who has offices in New Orleans and Houston, I host their solution in PHX through a Terminal Services set up. It works great, it is fast, smooth and the client loves it. The only trick...I can't get printing to fully automate. It works fine if it pauses to select a printer, but does not work if perform without dialog is enabled.

In this particular solution I have a print script that calls 3 different forms to be printed with the execution of a commit order script. I would love to figure out a way that I can fully automate this script so my client doesn't have to select a printer each time a print routine is called.

If someone could show me the light I would forever be in your debt. For what it is worth, I think the weakest part of FileMaker is their printing support. But, and I admit, maybe it is my experience level.

Steve

Edited October 4, 2006 by Guest

[John Mark Osborne]

It's true the Print Setup and Print script steps will not restore a printer. That's why there are tons of utilities and plug-ins on the market to change your printer. But, this really has nothing to do with networking. The same is true if you have a single-user FileMaker solution.

[Baylah]

John Mark Osborne Writes <>

You are absolutely correct, I sit corrected, and gesticulate my unworthiness, by bowing in your general direction! I was prejudicing myself in that all of my single user solutions do not have complicated print scripts, but that is more by coincidence than anything else.

I am not normally a big plug in fan because I have been burned on the plug not following an upgrade path versions....6 to 7 and plug in company was gone. I thought I was the only person this happened to and then I read the FMP white pages and they talk about being vey careful about using plug ins. However, I do understand the need for and have used some in the past.

If you know of one that will allow for printer restore I would love to know.

Thanks,

Steve

Edited October 5, 2006 by Guest

[John Mark Osborne]

Which white paper says to be careful about using plug-ins? Can you give us a URL for download.

[Baylah]

www.foundationdbs.com/downloads.html

From the bottom of page 11 in their White Pages.

[color:blue]"This would be pitfall #3.

Avoid plugins like the plague. There will be rare occurrences when you absolutely,

positively have to use one. Otherwise don’t. If you can do the same thing with hours of

tedious programming, do the programming. Don’t use the plugin.

If a plugin provides a feature you’d like, but can do without. Do without it."

I found this white paper to be very helpful. I don't agree with 100% of the content but they have helped me produce far better solutions after I read their presentation.

I do tend to agree with the plug in statement.

For instance...You had mentioned you knew a plug in for restoring print settings? I would love to evaluate such a beastie if you could give me a link to one that you are aware and fond of.

thank you,

Steve F.

[Ender]

That would be one of numerous things I disagree with in that white paper.

[Baylah]

Like I said, I don't agree with 100% of what is in that white paper either. However, I have been burned by a plugin not follwing an upgrade path, so I think there is some merit in this claim.

It falls into the "be careful" category...But especially with web commerce, you have no idea how big or how stable a fellow developer might be.

What else don't you agree with? While I found it to be a useful tool, I understand that this person's word is not law.

I did think the description of "angry fruit salad" was pretty funny, and I admit to changing a layout I was working on at the time I read it!

Thanks,

Steve

Edited October 6, 2006 by Guest

[spongebob]

Well guys and gals,

having been the Originator of this thread, thanks mucho at least now when I make all my print layouts I know it wont be for nothing.

Thank you very much for all the helpful replies.

That said, having read the entire thread I think you are all very smart and most worthy of whatever it is that one can be worthy for (no matter if you do have a plugin or not : ).

Thanks mucho again,

Spongebob