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Quick Report - Column Width

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    Quick Report - Column Width

    I would like to know what governs column width in quick report. The default column widths are much to wide which results in my reports requiring two pages(when one page can easily display my data). I can edit the report to decrease column width and get the results on one page. However, when I print the report I still get two pages printed and one of them is a blank page. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Cyrus Moultrie

    #2
    RE: Quick Report - Column Width

    Cyrus,

    I think Alpha Five uses the table structure width for each field to set the initial column width.

    A blank sheet every other page is often caused by a mismatch between the dimensions of your layout and the dimensions of the printable area on each sheet (per your printer's specifications). The layout must fit entirely within your printable zone.

    -- tom

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      #3
      RE: Quick Report - Column Width

      Hi Cyrus -

      This is prett amazing - I just finished this "lesson" in Susan Hussey Bush's book "Alpha Five Made Easy: The Basics and more for Version 5".

      Shameless plug: If you haven't bought it yet stop right now and do it. You can find it here:
      http://www.libertymanuals.com/

      I think it was money well spent and I haven't even finished the book yet!

      If you can't afford it, don't want to wait, or just want to see what you will get before you buy, Susan has agreed with Alpha Software to allow re-publishing of her book in the Newsletter. (Another thing I highly recommend you sign up for - Best yet - it's free.)


      To see Susans articles (The first installment was in Issue 10 - December 2002) go here:
      http://www.imakenews.com/alphasoftware/

      Unfortunately the lesson for Reports, Letters, and Labels is probably due out the next 1 or 2 installments.

      So...
      Assuming you are in design mode for your report and that it is for an 8 1/2" x 11" page:

      After you have shrunk your fields to fit on the report, click on the right hand margin of the report page and drag it to the left to the 7 1/2" mark.

      From Susan's Book, "The maximum width for a Portrait View is 7 1/2 inches." (P. 123)

      Now go to Print Preview. That should have made the extra pages go away.
      If it didn't make sure you don't have any part of any of the sections outside the 7 1/2" mark and go to PrintPreview again until the extra pages go away.

      If you still can not get it to work in the report properties you can change the Overflow Data option to "Shrink data to fit on page".
      (Report-> Properties-> Report Properties - Page Tab)

      Hope that helped!

      Scott

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Quick Report - Column Width

        Thanks Tom & Scott For your input concerning the problems I am having with the Report features of ALPHA5-V5.
        I am of the opinion that this is a common problem that is frustrating many users. I am Hoping that the designers of this program will take note and offer some improvement.
        It appears that the column widths in a report are determined by the greater of the width required for the column heading(variable name)or the width of the data field as specified in the setup. In addition there seems to be several spaces seperating the columns which gopples up the available space on a report.
        Scott, I concur with your suggestion to change the overflow option to "shrink data to fit on page". It does work. However, your other suggestion to click on the right hand margin(when in the design mode) and drag it to the left to fit the page does not seem to work for me. When I click on the right margin I do not get the symbols that you latch onto to move to a different position. I may not understand the procedure for doing this.
        I appreciate your comments and encourage anyone else with helphful knoledge and experience to jump in.
        Cyrus Moultrie

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Quick Report - Column Width

          Cyrus -

          I am of the opinion that this is a common problem that is frustrating many users.

          Don't get discouraged! It is just a matter of learning what's going on then it is easier the next time around.
          Plus there is the advantage of this message board... Lots of great help here.


          It appears that the column widths in a report are determined by the greater of the width required for the column heading(variable name)or the width of the data field as specified in the setup. In addition there seems to be several spaces seperating the columns which gopples up the available space on a report.

          This is true, but you have to start somewhere when using a Genie right? In my opinion, this allows for 'odd' paper sizes and landscape vs portrait printing. Besides, if they ever figure out how to build ESP in to a Genie then I wont be needed any more. The applications will just build themselves when I think of them. ;-)

          [i] However, your other suggestion to click on the right hand margin(when in the design mode) and drag it to the left to fit the page does not seem to work for me. When I click on the right margin I do not get the symbols that you latch onto to move to a different position.

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