Print 100 invoices to 100 unique files

[[email protected]]

I need a script (or something) to print 100 invoices to disk. However each invoice should print to an individual file and the file name should come from the customers database. I have Adobe Acrobat writer so it's no problem to print to a file but I don't want to create one huge file. Each invoice must print to an individual file.

Example:
A5 takes cust_name+inv_number from the first customer and prints file 1 to cust_name+inv_number.pdf then it takes cust_name2+inv_number2 from the second customer and prints to cust_name2+inv_number2.pdf until all 100 invoices are printed.

Is this possible?

Sincerely,
Jack.

[Bill Warner]

RE: Print 100 invoices to 100 unique files

Here's a sample script that I tried and (OHMIGOSH) it worked!!

dim global datax as c
dim global filex as c

tbl=table.open("test2")
tbl.fetch_first()
for x=1 to 5
datax=trim(tbl.message)
filex="d:"+datax+".pdf"
fp = file.create(filex,FILE_RW_EXCLUSIVE)
fp.write_line(datax)
fp.flush()
fp.close()
tbl.fetch_next()
next x

This wrote the data from the MESSAGE field in TEST2 to 5 files, eahc of which had a file name (filex) with the same data in it (datax). The files were written to the root of my D: drive.

I couldn't figure out how to get to a directory, but then again, I didn't want to leave you without some challenge!!

[[email protected]]

RE: Print 100 invoices to 100 unique files

Thanks. This helps a lot. I haven't done any A5 scripting or
A5 basic programming but I think I sort of understand it. Nevertheless I am using to ask a couple of "stupid" questions.

1. What about if my file uses index "inv_number" and I want to print invoices 500 to 750. Could I use the script as is?

2. Also, why can't I write
filex="d:datainvoices"+datax+".pdf" to write the files to a folder called invoices?

3. I am using a report to print the invoices. How would I do this with this script?

Sincerely,
Jack.

[Stephen Williams]

RE: Print 100 invoices to 100 unique files

With Alpha Five it is very easy to learn xbasic as A5 has tools that will write the code in many cases, so you can pick out the pieces first.

Last question first:
"3. I am using a report to print the invoices. How would I do this with this script?"

Make a button on your form to print invoices with a custom filter of Invoice between 500 and 750. Use the button genie on the forms toolbar.

Next right click on it, select "Actions" and look at the code. It will have written code to create a query and print a report.

You could can take Bills script and work the code into the right places.

Or if you have zero programming use Action Scripting on a button on the form. You will create the button and there will initialy be no code attached. Right click on the button, select "Actions" and you will have cut and paste choices to print or preview layaouts, branch program flow, get user input (for invoices, etc). After the Action script is built you can peek at the code and learn how it works, or even convert it to xbasic (you can't undo a conversion...)

There is a learning curve, but it is not that steep. Take small steps. You can solve your need this way.

It's how I learnt.

[Bill Warner]

RE: Print 100 invoices to 100 unique files

Jack,

Regarding your first question, you can use fetch_find to get to your first record, and then fetch_next to go from there. Check the help file or the manual for specific instructions.

Regarding your second, I tried "d:datainvoices"+datax+".pdf", and ended up with a file in the root drive of D: called DATAINVOICESXXX.PDF (where XXX was the value of DATAX).

I'm sure there's a way to include a sub-directory, but don't know it offhand. Maybe someone else can offer help on this.