Take the "Print-a-Browse Challenge"

[forskare]

Print - Browse Challenge

A while back Tom Cone posted a challenge which produced some very positive results. After searching the message , I discovered others have posted this scenario as well but no answers were posted. I would like to pose this challenge since there are many who would benefit from the results.

Here�s the challenge:

Start with a set of 2 tables linked 1:many. Create a form based on the set and put the name field from the parent table (others if you want) on the top part of the form. Now put an embedded browse on the lower part of the form, containing the fields from the child table.

Next, create a report based on the set. Set up a group based on the name field from the parent table. The challenge is to get the records in the embedded browse to print in the report. You can enhance the challenge if you can accomplish this with out Xbasic.

Note: The reason for this is that the browse is used for filtering and the filtered records need to be printed. This works well on a single table but not a set.

Thanks for taking the challenge!

kenn

[Jim Chapman]

RE: Take the

Hello Ken,

Maybe I'm dense, but I can't quite figure out what you are trying to do. Why wouldn't the child records print in the report. Just not understanding here.

Jim

[French]

RE: Take the

You kind of have to back up a few messages to "Which Way Out???" to understand this one, I believe.

If I understand correctly, there are several ways to get to the desired end...

[forskare]

RE: Take the

For clarification

When you have a browse, you can click on a word (name, etc.) in any column and the click the quick filter, the red X appears (next to the Quick Filter icon)and must be clicked to Show All records. Quick Filter is handy for quickly reducing the records down to the "chosen few". Then, printing what's left, that's the challenge. On a single table, this works fine. In a set however, I'm not sure it can be done.

When a report is created, ALL the records for ALL parent records will print. One is not able to print only the records for the parent record of focus at the time the Quick Filter is done.

Or, just simply printing the browse w/o any filtering of the data, same result.

Group Header "Name" (from parent table)

Report Detail Data from the embedded browse (child table)

Hope this clarifies things a bit.

kenn

[Jean-P. B�dard]

RE: Take the

Ken,

If I understand correctly, it looks similar to what you achieve when creating an invoice report with one invoice number and several items.

The invoice number is the linking field to the items table, and the items are in the embedded browse.

Am I right or wrong ?

JP

[Tom Patten]

RE: Take the

Ken,

Why not just filter the records in report? And if need be, gather some variables in the process (Ask_Variables) if need be?

At any rate, if you get frustrated, try the stressreliever I posted. There is a tool there also for cutting and pasting, option #2, that might do the job for you.

Tom

[csda1]

RE: Take the

Ken,

As I've said in other threads, the print layout generator reloads the layout (browse in this case) at print time. Thus, any filter (query or otherwise) you've applied to a form or browse are not explicitly available to the printing. You need to get the current filter of the browse or form, then feed it to the print operation.

Ideally, this should use the current query, but if I remember correctly, it reruns the query (very inefficient to do as you've now accessed the records twice).

I've asked Selwyn if the printing could inherit the properties of the current browse or form in some future version.

Regards,

Ira J. Perlow
Computer Systems Design & Associates
[email protected]

[Jim Chapman]

RE: Take the

Hello Ken,

Try this. In the sample invoice database that comes with A5, put a button on the invoice form. Put the following xbasic in the action for this button:

vid = parentform:invoice2.text
vChildID = parentform:browse1:prod_no.text
:report.preview("invoice","invoice_number='"+vid+"'.and.invoice_items->product_id='"+vchildid+"'")

The report preview line should be all on one line.
Is this what you are looking for??

Jim

[forskare]

RE: Take the

Ira,

As usual, you've hit the nail square on the head, driving it to the bottom! I know I'm not good at Xbasic but it's nice to know I didn't loose it on this one.

kenn

[forskare]

RE: Take the

Jean-P,

Yup!! Except you can't use a browse on a report or sub report. If that could be done (Like including a browse tool on the drop down tool bar), home free, no problem!

kenn

[forskare]

RE: Take the

Tom,

Yah Sure! I suppose one could do it that way but then that's being redundant, having to re-enter data which I think is the point Ira is making.

By the way, I love the stress relivers. BUT..... please fix the sound, I miss the chain saw and macine gun noises.

kenn

[forskare]

RE: Take the

Hi JIm,

Won't be able to get at it till tomorrow night as I'm out of town (using my son-in-law's computer). As Ira has stated, this is one report feature that Alpha needs to include or add. A simple solution is to include a Browse icon to the drop down tool bar as it is in form design.

Thanks for your suggestion,

kenn