Aligning Data on Preprinted Forms

[PCHall]

Does anyone know if there is a way in CRXI to set a user defined parameter which modifies the origin X and Y print co-ordinates for the complete output of a report. This would be used to align a printout in specific boxes/fields on a pre-printed form. We're trying to figure out how to accommodate variances between different printer models.

Thanks,

 

[MrBillSC]

I have never heard of a way to dynamically change a fields x & y coordinates of a report.

If you don't have too many types of printers, you could create multiple sections, one for each printer and prompt for printer brand. Then print and suppress sections based on the printer brand parameter.

Where I work we have done away with most preprinted forms and create the entire form in the Crystal report.

MrBill

 

[PCHall]

Thanks MrBillSC. Unfortunately our system requires printing too many pre-printed forms that would be much too time-consuming to create. Not only that but a number of those forms are for government reporting with red ink that fades when being machine-read. We've already had to programmatically build alignment tools into reports that are generated by the report building tools within our development languages. However, as we've been transitioning to using Crystal as our reporting tool, this is one of the problem areas.

Your idea about sections may be workable though in that while we wouldn't build these based on specific printer models (there are far too many), we could at least have a few options vs. currently where there are none. Still not perfect since we've learned over the years that one really needs some extremely fine tuning to put X's in boxes correctly. Our built in reports1 typically give users fine tuning options for left/right and up/down alignment to the 1/10th of a character or line.