Output report to PDF without virtual printer

[EricAccess]

Hi,

is there as way to create a PDF file from a report without having to install a virtual printer like CutePDFWriter on each user's machine? Maybe I can put (not install) a converter like Ghostwriter on the server where the (common) database is?

Eric

 

[Blorf]

I can't think of a way. Does it have to be a pdf? Maybe RTF or even Snap Shot?

ChaZ

There Are 10 Types Of People In The world:
Those That Understand BINARY And Those That Don’t.

 

[GummowN]

This is a work around but how about you run a report writer DB on the server - this is left opened with a form on a timer event - every 10 mins it checks a report request table (which contains the PDF report requests from the users - with their names) - generates the report in a PDF then emails it to the user.

If at first you don't succeed, try

http://www.tek-tips.com

for the answer.

 

[EricAccess]

Hi Blorf,

yes I want to create PDF's in order to mail them to customers, and RTF does not copy the graphics and so on, and I don't want to mail a Snapshot either.

Hi GummowN,

I was trying to find a simpeler solution like piping the output of the report through a PDF converter like Ghostwriter. When I have tot run processes on the file server I'm really out of my depth!

 

[GummowN]

It doesnt have to be the server just one machine that has distiller installed that is always on, with the database always running.

If you think it will help play about with the concept. There maybe a way of piping the result but I have not seen or used one.

If at first you don't succeed, try

http://www.tek-tips.com

for the answer.

 

[Blorf]

GummowN is on to something.

Maybe the report requst creates a table for the report, instead of a query.

The serverside just checks for the table. If it exists, run the report, and save it some where, or send it as instructed.

Sounds like it could work.

ChaZ

There Are 10 Types Of People In The world:
Those That Understand BINARY And Those That Don’t.

 

[GummowN]

My idea is a table like this:

Report; User; Time; Ran

When the user prints a report - from a custom button in the database - it inserts the report name, user, time into the table.

Every 10min the form clicks into a timer event
- it opens a recordset for all records in the table where Ran = False
- opens the report
- prints it to distiller
- saves the file
- creates an email to the user
- attaches the file
- sends the file
- and updates ran to true
- move to next record

If at first you don't succeed, try

http://www.tek-tips.com

for the answer.

 

[sxschech]

Here is a free/low cost solution, although not sure if this solution does what you want. It seems like it allows you to set up a pdf driver on a server and client users just add it to their list of printers without having to install software on their desktop - (scroll down to the FAQ titled "How can I set up PDF995 as a shared network printer?")

http://www.pdf995.com/faq.html