Ms Access Reports Letters and Envelopes

[Bob]

Hi Everybody

I have an Access 2000 database full of names and address, the usual
thing.

I am able to print out an A4 (UK paper size) letter that lines up
with a window envelope and shows the address just great. Keeps the
mailman happy.

However The problem is that there are so many different envelope
manufactures, and they all have different standards as to where to put
the window.

Add to that, they feed through printers in different ways, so that it
is difficult to predefine the positions of the address in a way that
will suit all users.

What I need is a way for the end user to be able to adjust all of the
reports/letters at runtime from some "Setting" area in the DB.

Has anyone else come up against this problem

Regards to all Smiley Bob

 

[Rick B]

I have never done it, but I would think you would have to build some code
behind your report with variables for the margins. You'd then have to
prompt the user to determine which margins to use.

There may be other methods out there.

Rick B


Hi Everybody

I have an Access 2000 database full of names and address, the usual
thing.

I am able to print out an A4 (UK paper size) letter that lines up
with a window envelope and shows the address just great. Keeps the
mailman happy.

However The problem is that there are so many different envelope
manufactures, and they all have different standards as to where to put
the window.

Add to that, they feed through printers in different ways, so that it
is difficult to predefine the positions of the address in a way that
will suit all users.

What I need is a way for the end user to be able to adjust all of the
reports/letters at runtime from some "Setting" area in the DB.

Has anyone else come up against this problem

Regards to all Smiley Bob

 

[PC Datasheet]

How about using envelopes without windows and printing mailing labels?

 

[david epsom dot com dot au]

don't bother to try to change the actual report margins --
just move the position of the controls on the report.
(in the open/load event)

(david)

 

[Russ]

You could do all this work in advance and set up various reports for
each type envelope and have the user select their envelope type on a
form for the appropriate envelope. Or, just make 'em all use a
certain brand envelope.

Then you mention something about "they all feed through printers in
different ways" ..... Don't all A4 sheets feed thru different printers
in either landscape or portrait?

 

[Chris Mills]

Easiest way (perhaps) is to produce several selectable standard reports.

You DON'T have to code the actual report multiple times - you can stick it as
a sub-report in various "holder" reports with different margins.

Basically altering printer settings requires design mode (and an mdb) and
some pretty fancy footwork for things to "stick".

You could also look at Attac Consulting demos for what can be done with
printers.
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/attac-cg/acgsoft.htm
(look for "on-the-fly printing")

Chris

 

[wwg]

Easiest way is to simply "shell" out to a Word merge document and let the
user do the margin adjustments on the document in Word.

--Wesley

*"Law of Cybernetic Entomology"
--There is always one more bug.