Dot Matrix and Reports 1

[CleoMan]

Alright it's reports again...

I want to print certain reports on a dot matrix printer , with preprinted paper. But the problem is that the papers width is larger than it's lenght.

When I try to specify the length and width in Paradox, it automatically changes the layout of the paper from potrait to landscape.

The preprinted paper is potrait even though it's length is smaller than it's width.

How can I set the report in Paradox without it automatically changing??

Thanks

 

[footpad]

Cleoman,

If you're using a recent version of Paradox, e.g. Paradox 10 or later, make sure you've applied all appropriate services packs and then try creating a custom page size that spefieis the margins and uses the Portrait mode.

To do this:

1. Open your report in Design mode.

2. Choose File | Page Setup.

3. Click the Add button near the lower left of the Page Setup dialog; this displays the Add New Form (Printer) dialog.

4. Enter a custom name, the size of your paper, and any adjustments needed for the non-printable area of your printer. Choose OK.

5. When you're returned to the Page Setup dialog, you should be able to select your custom size and the Portrait orientation. Choose OK.

6. Save your report and then try printing it.

Now, these steps were written from Paradox 10, SP3. If you're using an earlier version, there may not be anything you can do, for some older versions (e.g. Paradox 5.0, perhaps later versions) would automatically assume Landscape orientation when the page sizes were wider than their height. (I think I'm remembering that correcty; I confess it's a dim memory so I may be wrong.)

In any event, try creating a custom page size and see if that helps.

-- Lance

 

[CleoMan]

Well I am using Paradox 9 , maybe I'll finally have some luck and this feature will be in P9.

Just in case: Anyone else...

 

[footpad]

CleoMan,

Well, since you're using Paradox 9 (and since it looks like Paradox 9 tries to choose the appropriate paper type for you), you may be able to use an old trick we used to do in the dark ages of DOS 4:

1. Open your report in Design mode.

2. Choose Page | Setup.

3. Choose a fanfold paper size from the list, e.g. US Std Fanfold.

4. Set the right margin to a large value, e.g. 6.9.

This should give you a printable area that fits on the paper you're using and workaround the "auto-names" fitting that the dialog seems to be using.

Hope this helps...and please let me know if it does...

-- Lance

 

[CleoMan]

Maybe I did'nt do it correctly but it seems for once you where wrong ;-)

Nope did'nt help. But thanks Lance your input is always 99.9% spot on.

So I'm still stuck....

 

[footpad]

Cleoman,

Keep fiddling with it. I saw the behavior you originally described; Paradox 9 appears to "auto-fit" the orientation to the papersize (and, yes, this was with SP4). It's hard to secribe, but I did see the behavior you described in your first post.

In fiddling with the fanfold paper size on my end, I was able to adjust the margins to a place roughly similar to the standard size without the Orientation being reset.

You might need to set things slightly less than 8-1/2, perhaps 8.4" or something along those lines. The right-margin doesn't necessarily need to be 6.9. They key is to make something that's close, but not exactly the same as the normal paper size. It needs to be different enough to fake out the algorithm that's kicking in. (And you may need to specifically choose your Portrait setting).

Alternatively, you could simply use the fanfold size and simply design the report so it doesn't go past the 8-1/2" limit. After all, the printer doesn't know if you actually have 15" paper in the print or 8-1/2" paper.

We're simply trying to trick the software into behaving the way you need it to.

As far as being wring, well, I am frequently wrong and not afraid to admit it. After all, you can learn if you don't make mistakes. Well, you can, but I've always learned more from my mistakes than my successes, I'm afraid. (And, yes, I'll avoid the obligatory self-deprecating remark that I'm tempted to make. )

I'm always glad to hear when I haven't gotten things right, because it gives me a chance to evaluate my ideas. In this case, I haven't got a dot matrix I can test with, so I have to restrict my efforts to those that seem to work.

In any event, this is the only way I can see to get things to work. The problem is that the Paradox 9 UI is trying to be too helpful. Whoever designed that algorithm was probably quite pleased with it; however, they didn't realize that there are cases where people need to do something unusual from time to time.

Thankfully, the dialog is redesigned in P10, so it may be worth upgrading just to get around the problem. I know; I know. However, there are some deals around for WPO 2002 Pro, not that the 2003 version is out.

Also, I suppose it's entirely possible you could create a merge document in WP or even Word. While it might take longer, it might also provide another way to tackle the problem.
Hope this helps...

-- Lance

 

[CleoMan]

Well Lance it seems that this one wont just be a quick solution, just a case of trail and error. I guess as long as there is a way I wont be to bummed out..

The thing that scares me is that you actualy worked in DOS 4...

The last comment "merge document with word". I'm sorry but what does that mean? Just remember I'm totaly new to this ball game so I'm still learning (arent we all).

Anyway, thanks for all your effort, as always it is appreciated!

Richard

 

[footpad]

Richard,

The merge document comment was basically a nod to the fact that you can use mailmerge documents to print reports. You have to define a data link and then a query to your database tables, but wordprocessor merge facilities can frequently create far more elegant results than the report writers provided with many database products.

In Word, create a new document than then choose Tools | Mail Merge. It takes a few steps, but might be worth the hassle.

(Note: If you're using Paradox level 7 tables, you should install the ODBC driver from your Paradox 9 CD before trying to create a merge document in word.)
Hope this helps...

-- Lance