Can Crystal report a missing OLE object? 1

[Madawc]

I'm writing a report that will select one of several OLE images from a specified folder, using a file name entered using a parameter. That much works fine.

If I enter a file name that does not exist, I get the image of a little black square, but no other indication that there is a problem. This means that a live report that was given a bad or out-of-date parameter would waste time printing unusable letters on pre-printed stationary. Is there a way to pick up and report the error instead?

Note that I plan to have the signature as a subreport within each letter, but mostly using just the one signature, so if it fails once it would be best to stop the entre report. Or I might do it just once and pass back the file path. In either case, it would be good to know about a non-existent file.

Is there a method? Please let me know.


Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Crystal 2008 with SQL and Windows XP

 

[lbass]

You must be using the parameter in a formula--please show the content and explain in what report screen you are using it.

-LB

 

[Madawc]

I'm using either

// Tell the letter where to pick up the graphic
"H:\_Crystal\INC026837 Signatures\Signature_Store\Test10.bmp"

Or else

// Assemble path from parameters
{?MainPath} & {?Item Number} & {?PictureType}

If the specified graphic does not exist, it displays a black square. It gives no indication that the formula has failed.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Crystal 2008 with SQL and Windows XP

 

[lbass]

Where are you creating this formula?

-LB

 

[crystalkiwibruce]

My Export Function Library includes a FileExists function. You could use that with your path name to display a message or exclude some records without the image.

Bruce Ferguson

http://www.crystalkiwi.com/nlog.htm

 

[Madawc]

crystalkiwibruce, is there a way to check FileExists within a standard Crystal report?

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Crystal 2008 with SQL and Windows XP

 

[IanWaterman]

Have you thought of using a subreport to test then path first.

I do not have Crystal open but you can set a datasource as your drive H or possible a folder H:\_Crystal\INC026837 Signatures\Signature_Store\. If file cannot be found there then you can use a Boolean shared var to suppress report or specif document.

Ian

 

[Madawc]

This is intended for routine running out of hours. People are supposed to check that letters look OK before physically sending them out. But if there were a simple way to identify an error, that would be useful.

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Crystal 2008 with SQL and Windows XP

 

[IdoMillet]

You can use a UFL (User Function Library) to add a FileExists() function to your Crystal Reports formula editor. At least one of the UFLs listed at

http://kenhamady.com/bookmarks.html

provides that function.

hth,
- Ido

view, export, burst, email, and schedule Crystal Reports.

http://www.MilletSoftware.com

 

[Madawc]

Thanks

Madawc Williams (East Anglia, UK). Using Crystal 2008 with SQL and Windows XP