Email current report as an email

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Alpha has a really neat built in utility for emailing a report. When viewing a report, there is a toolbar option: Send report via e-mail as an Acrobat.PDF Attachment. This is a nice one step, quick way to email a report.

As neat as this feature is, I don't have very much control. I would like to be able to rename the PDF file. Alpha just takes the name of the report that is being viewed. Sometimes, the report name is not that appropriate. Also, where does Alpha store the PDF that is created?

I would like a simple xDialog that would allow me to:
1. input the PDF name
2. store the PDF on the Desktop
3. open my email with the attachment.

I have done this.

dim MyPDFName as C
dim CurReport as C
dim LoggedInUser as C = api_getusername()	'computer log in
dim PDFOnDesktop as C

'enter name for new PDF file
DIM SHARED vcName as C
DIM XDialogStyle as P
XDialogStyle.AccentColor = "Off White"
XDialogStyle.Color = "Blue White"
DIM SHARED varC_result as C
ok_button_label = "&OK"
cancel_button_label = "&Cancel"
varC_result = ui_dlg_box("E-mail a PDF Attachment",<<%dlg%
{units=F}{font=Calibri,12}{xmargin=4,4}{ysize=.3}
{Windowstyle=Gradient Horizontal};;

{region}
Enter a Name for the PDF Attachment;;
[.30MyPDFName];;
{endregion};

{line=1,0};;

{region}
{justify=center,Center}
<10,1.5=ok_button_label!OK?mypdfname<\>""> <*10,1.5=cancel_button_label!CANCEL>
{endregion};
%dlg%,<<%code%
%code%)

if varC_result <> "OK" then
	end
end if

''windows 7 desktop
PDFOnDesktop = "C:\Users\\"+loggedInUser+"\Desktop\\"+MyPDFName+".PDF"

dim fn as C
fn = report.saveas("_TestCust", "PDF", "", "", PDFOnDesktop)

vcEmail_Addresses = ""
subject_param = MyPDFName+" Report"
message_param = ""
Attachments = fn
vcCC_Addresses = ""
bcc_param = ""

Email_Client_External(vcEmail_Addresses,subject_param,message_param,Attachments,vcCC_Addresses,bcc_param)

What I can't figure out is how do I capture the currently viewed report and make it into a PDF.

From what I could find, I have been using the function report.saveas() to generate the PDF. Going this route, it looks like I would have to re-run the report using the current report name, filter and order.

This could be done using global variables I guess. Just wondering if someone may have an easier way.

Thanks,

Ron

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Email current report as an email

I did go with the global variable route and this does work very well.
On my test report, I did have to refine the filter replacing references to variables to wrapping the variable in s_quote().
The down side is that I have almost 100 reports with many more filtering options. If I wish to apply this feature to every report, this would be a major undertaking.

dim MyPDFName as C
dim CurReport as C
dim LoggedInUser as C = api_getusername()	'computer log in
dim PDFOnDesktop as C

'enter name for new PDF file
DIM SHARED vcName as C
DIM XDialogStyle as P
XDialogStyle.AccentColor = "Off White"
XDialogStyle.Color = "Blue White"
DIM SHARED varC_result as C
ok_button_label = "&OK"
cancel_button_label = "&Cancel"
varC_result = ui_dlg_box("E-mail a PDF Attachment",<<%dlg%
{units=F}{font=Calibri,12}{xmargin=4,4}{ysize=.3}
{Windowstyle=Gradient Horizontal};;

{region}
Enter a Name for the PDF Attachment;;
[.30MyPDFName];;
{endregion};

{line=1,0};;

{region}
{justify=center,Center}
<10,1.5=ok_button_label!OK?mypdfname<\>""> <*10,1.5=cancel_button_label!CANCEL>
{endregion};
%dlg%,<<%code%
%code%)

if varC_result <> "OK" then
	end
end if

''windows 7 desktop
PDFOnDesktop = "C:\Users\\"+loggedInUser+"\Desktop\\"+MyPDFName+".PDF"

''use global variables which are set in the code to run the report
dim fn as C
fn = report.saveas(var->email_Rpt, "PDF", var->email_Filter, var->email_order, PDFOnDesktop)

vcEmail_Addresses = ""
subject_param = MyPDFName+" Report"
message_param = ""
Attachments = fn
vcCC_Addresses = ""
bcc_param = ""

Email_Client_External(vcEmail_Addresses,subject_param,message_param,Attachments,vcCC_Addresses,bcc_param)

[CharlesParker]

Re: Email current report as an email

can't you just make these functions and simply call the function on click?

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Email current report as an email

I can make the scripts functions, but that will not solve the issue. The way I see it, I have to capture the name of the report, the filter and order when I run the report. While viewing the report, if I opt to email that report as a PDF, I then need to run the report.saveas function using the globally stored values. It works just fine. In reality, I probably will only use this on selected reports.

I was just wondering if anyone else had an easier way of doing this.

[Ray in Capetown]

Re: Email current report as an email

The "neat function while viewing a report" is not quite that !!!

Therein lies the problem.
Make your own - a little effort to start but easier in the long run.
feed it your PDF file name and choose what you want it to do.

[johnkoh]

Re: Email current report as an email

Ron,

Are you looking for this?

'What I can't figure out is how do I capture the currently viewed report and make it into a PDF.

' 1 ; select a report and print with pdf
' 2 ; select the attachment

vReportList=<<%vReport%
customer List
Other List
sample 1
%vReport%

	dim vFileName as c =""
	dim vPdffile as c =""
	

ui_dlg_box("Print",<<%dlg%
show the report;
Report:;
[.50,5vSelectReport^#vReportList];
<Print> <cancel>
%dlg%,<<%code%
If a_dlg_button = "print" then
	'print it with PDf
	'save to where and name

	vFileName = "test_list.pdf"
	vSavePath ="C:\Users\Koh\Documents\My Temporary"
	
	vPdffile = report.saveas(alltrim(vSelectReport), "PDF", "", "",vSavePath+chr(92)+vFileName)
	
	'Build the Error Check at here
	
	If file.exists(vPdffile) then
		Sub_control(vPdffile)
	else
		msgbox("not completed the PDF print ")
		cancel()	
	end if
else
	'just close it
	
end if
%code%)


function Sub_control as c (vPdffile)
dim MyPDFName as C
dim CurReport as C
dim LoggedInUser as C = api_getusername()	'computer log in
dim PDFOnDesktop as C

'enter name for new PDF file
DIM SHARED vcName as C
DIM XDialogStyle as P
XDialogStyle.AccentColor = "Off White"
XDialogStyle.Color = "Blue White"
DIM SHARED varC_result as C
ok_button_label = "&OK"
cancel_button_label = "&Cancel"
varC_result = ui_dlg_box("E-mail a PDF Attachment",<<%dlg%
{units=F}{font=Calibri,12}{xmargin=4,4}{ysize=.3}
{Windowstyle=Gradient Horizontal};;

{region}
Enter a Name for the PDF Attachment;;
[.30MyPDFName];;
{endregion};


The next smart fields are "user defined" smart fields.;
{region=a}
Get Current PDF with path:| [.50vPdffile];;
or just show the file name and....:;
| [.50vTrimedPdffile];;

or select one;
Filename:| [%fText files(*.txt)|Doc files(*.doc)|PDF files(*.pdf)%.52filename];

{lf=2};
Alpha sample;
Email_A5: | [%p=popup.email_a5(email);i=popup.email%.50email] \(using Alpha Five mail client);

Email: | [%p=popup.email(email);i=popup.email%.50email] \(using default mail client);

{endregion};


{line=1,0};;

{region}
{justify=center,Center}
<10,1.5=ok_button_label!OK?mypdfname<\>""> <*10,1.5=cancel_button_label!CANCEL>
{endregion};
%dlg%,<<%code%
%code%)
if varC_result <> "OK" then
	end
end if

''windows 7 desktop
PDFOnDesktop = "C:\Users\\"+loggedInUser+"\Desktop\\"+MyPDFName+".PDF"

''use global variables which are set in the code to run the report
dim fn as C
fn = report.saveas(var->email_Rpt, "PDF", var->email_Filter, var->email_order, PDFOnDesktop)

vcEmail_Addresses = ""
subject_param = MyPDFName+" Report"
message_param = ""
Attachments = fn
vcCC_Addresses = ""
bcc_param = ""

Email_Client_External(vcEmail_Addresses,subject_param,message_param,Attachments,vcCC_Addresses,bcc_param)

end function

[Ray in Capetown]

Re: Email current report as an email

By Make Your Own I would look at doing it this way without requiring much dlg coding
1. Make a new form myreportform. On this place a report preview supercontrol. Add the buttons for whatever options you wish to access.
2. open this form as dialog ...

dlgPreview_result = form.dialog("myreportform","",filterstring,"","","Fill","Fill")

where you replace filterstring of course, you can use a shared variable
Once it has been open you are at the stage of viewing your report but with your buttons under your control.
if you close the reportview after depressing one of your buttons you can read the button pushed but you may not need to do anything with that. If you have a button "SEND email" use the OnPush of the button to perform the save and send. Set shared vars for filename and send to etc. prior to step 2.
A button on the form to save and send pdf email would run something like

Report.Saveas("myreportform","PDF",filterstring,"",vi_pdn)	'save the pdf with path/name saved in vi_pdn, the same filter
dim global snd as p
snd.from= Return email address
snd.date=""
snd.failure=""
snd.success=""
snd.from_Alias=
snd.to = 
snd.subject =
snd.attachments =vi_pdn 'HERE IS YOUR PDF
snd.html_message = <<%html%
<html>
Please open the attached document.</p>
</p>
</p>Thank you
</html>
%html%
email_send2(snd)

Does as you ask
codicil = I roughly converted from something that sends invoices in one of my apps, changed on the fly - needs testing to see if the names used will apply. In principle the method works.

[Tom Patten]

Re: Email current report as an email

Ray,

I tried your code and go the message, "Cjould not connect to SMTP server:" Using windows Live Mail on windows 7 machine.

Ideas?

TIA - Tom

[Ray in Capetown]

Re: Email current report as an email

I used Alpha's mail in that example.
Not external mail software

The point here was to be able to save the report pdf whilst viewing, with a selected name rather than the report name, be able to email it.
All that was really needed was the dialog style form in the first part and

Report.Saveas("myreportform","PDF",filterstring,"",vi_pdn)	'save the pdf with path/name saved in vi_pdn, the same filter

the rest is superfluous based on how you choose to email it.
I would choose not to make the user do anything except view it and have the option (and anything else one would like to do with the PDF) to add whatever heading, title, body text and the attachment goes with ....

[Ray in Capetown]

Re: Email current report as an email

I also must admit that I expect Robert was not asking for finished working code as he is quite capable I think, just an idea to circumvent the problem, not with the emailing part - that was just a rough example of one possible way to approach the emailing.
and thanks for your interest BTW - luckily I didn't spend a heck of a lot of more time testing and bomb proofing.
But great that you got as far as achieving the main principle.

[Ronald Anusiewicz]

Re: Email current report as an email

I've been away on vacation so I haven't had any time to respond. Ray, your method is interesting. For now, I'm going to stick with what I have. It's only for one report. If it's decided to add this feature to more reports, I'll deal with it then.

Thanks

[DaveM]

Re: Email current report as an email

Ron,
You will get there as you are going, but lots of work.
I learned a long time ago to print to and email app like "Lightning Pdf" or "PDF Factory" (you can then view easily and save to any name) then attach it to an email.

[MoGrace]

Re: Email current report as an email

Hi Dave,
I see NCH software also offers a print driver called BOLT for $19.99 (also free but with watermark) but was not offering the free Lightning PDF except from download.cnet.com

[DaveM]

Re: Email current report as an email

I paid for Lightning pdf. I think Borland?? I will check it for you. It came from avanquest and I got the professional version
http://www.avanquest.com/USA/search....=lightning+pdf

pdf factory has a free version at:
http://shop.software-partners.co.uk/...intpdffactory/ I have the pro

[Tom Henkel]

Re: Email current report as an email

We do a LOT of "save as" with PDF files. we then e-mail them using SMTP e-mail which, to us, seems much more reliable than email_send.

This is the SMTP e-mail routine. As long as your ISP has SMTP set up, then it is very easy to accomplish. All you need is an ID and Password.

DIM mail_from as C = [COLOR="#FF0000"]xxxxxxx[/COLOR]     'valid e-mail address
DIM mail_to  as C = [COLOR="#FF0000"]yyyyyy[/COLOR]     'valid e-mail address
DIM ps as P
DIM pm as P
msg_text = "Whatever you need to put here"
pm.from = mail_from
pm.from_alias = "Some descriptive name"
pm.to = mail_to
pm.subject = "Some descriptive Text"
pm.cc = ""
pm.bcc = ""
pm.message = msg_text
if email_smtp_open(ps,[COLOR="#FF0000"]'address of ISP,25,[/COLOR][COLOR="#800080"]'sender's e-mail address[/COLOR],[COLOR="#800080"]'sender's e-mail password[/COLOR])
	email_smtp_send(pm,ps)
	email_smtp_close(ps)
  else
  	ui_msg_box("ERROR","Problem! - There is a Problem with the SMTP Email"+crlf()+"No e-mail was sent to "+mail_to)
end if

Tom