Printing records: choose layout and copies

[mf]

Hi,

I have selected the records that I need to print. For each record selected I want to be able to select a layout (from a choice of about 20 layouts) and the number of times this record need to be printed (default being 1).

Finally I want to minimise the number of sheets needed to print: most likely by grouping all the records that need to be printed using the same layout (certain layouts fit 2 to a page, others 4, others 6, 8 and 12).

Am I dreaming? or can this be done?

Thanks for any input you might have.

[JPaul]

quote:

---

Originally posted by mf:

Hi,

I have selected the records that I need to print. For each record selected I want to be able to select a layout (from a choice of about 20 layouts) and the number of times this record need to be printed (default being 1).

Finally I want to minimise the number of sheets needed to print: most likely by grouping all the records that need to be printed using the same layout (certain layouts fit 2 to a page, others 4, others 6, 8 and 12).

Am I dreaming? or can this be done?

Thanks for any input you might have.

---

Hi mf,

i'll split your post in separate parts, then

• you can easily choose the layout putting their refs. in a scripted pop-up menu

• by 'number of times this record need to be printed' what do you exactly mean (nr. of items per layout or nr. of layouts to be printed ?)

• to group records on the same layout you can choose to apply partial summaries

For questions, don't hesitate.

Curiously (i love Canada) we are living in similar lands: we also have very high and snowy mountains (the Alps) and lakes (few bears ....!, but they're also)

Greetings from Holy Lands

[mf]

The application basically deals with products that need to be printed on various signs (for display).

The goal is to select a familly of products; then select what layout each product should use and and how many times you want the layout to print (you may have various display stands for the same product).

Currently the user can select records that he/she knows will use the same layout and then print them all once. If they need more copies for a specific product, the selection (find) has to be re-done and the process repeated.

We are hoping to simplify the process by allowing the user to select the products that has had a recent price change, for example, and then from that selection, determine an appropriate layout and a number of copies (some may need a single one, some two or more).

I hope this is a little clearer.

[JPaul]

Well, mf

we are in the right way.

Investigate what i wrote on my last post;

to choose the proper layout, put their names in a value list to be presented as a pop up menu (it is 'scriptable' while value list is not)

to define the nr. of prints per layout use a global field in which to store the requested number of copies and then use it (in a loop) as it would be a counter to decrease after each copy is printed out.

Hope this clarify the concept.

[mf]

Thanks for helping!

[mf]

One other thing though...

How do I "optimise" the paper usage. If I call a print for each record, there will be only one sign per page...

[JPaul]

quote:

---

Originally posted by mf:

One other thing though...

How do I "optimise" the paper usage. If I call a print for each record, there will be only one sign per page...

---

Simply doing a find before the printing script starts or, better, use some form of relation (or self join, if this case occurs) and print out on a report with a summarizing by ...(your choice) section.

Regards

[mf]

Sorry JPaul,

I don't understand your explanation...

mf

[JPaul]

Mf,

entering in find mode do your choice on the proper family of prods,perform the find (in this way you obtain a found set containing the proper records)

have, on the current layout, a field (possibly global) in which you ask the nr. of copies to print

then click on the pop up menu containing the types (or names) of your printing reports

test this choice and switch to the appropriate report

use a printing loop to print the nr. of copies you've selected (the global field would acts as a decreasing counter)

exit the loop when counter equals to zero

Hope to clarify, this time (sorry) i go sleep because here are 1,30 AM (hi).

If you'll have other questions i will reply tomorrow.

[mf]

Thanks JPaul! I think I get it now.