Include pre-formatted files/pdf's in report

[lunde]

When sending out customer orders I today include an invoice and a
packing list printed from MS-Access. However, I would like to add
various information to the customer, such as technical information,
promotions etc.

These extra informations would be defined on each order, so what I am
after is how to include these text fragments in the report print-out.
Should this be done as images (jpegs/tiff's) or is it possible to use
pdf documents?

If the customer order for example contains a reference to the text
fragments P017, TD061, B741, could I then get these three files printed
out like this:

<Report header>
P017.pdf
TD061.pdf
B741.pdf
<Report footer>

If yes, how do I store the files in the access database, and how do I
include them in the report code?

Thanks

Mogens

 

[lunde]

When sending out customer orders I today include an invoice and a
packing list printed from MS-Access. However, I would like to add
various information to the customer, such as technical information,
promotions etc.

These extra informations would be defined on each order, so what I am
after is how to include these text fragments in the report print-out.
Should this be done as images (jpegs/tiff's) or is it possible to use
pdf documents?

If the customer order for example contains a reference to the text
fragments P017, TD061, B741, could I then get these three files printed
out like this:

<Report header>
P017.pdf
TD061.pdf
B741.pdf
<Report footer>

If yes, how do I store the files in the access database, and how do I
include them in the report code?

Thanks

Mogens

Okay, another idea then: Can I store preformatted text, for example text
from a MS-Word document into a field in an MS-Access table, and then
output this text in the MS-Access report and maintain the formatting? If
yes, what type of field should I use (Memo, Ole Object ??) and what to
do to maintain formatting?

Thanks again

 

[Stephen Lebans]

Yes, you can embed a Word or WordPad doc directly in an OLE field in your
MDB. But I would advise against it.

Use a form as the UI for the user to select the invoice to print and which
promotional/instructional PDF files you wish to print. Output the report and
then programmatically send the desired PDF's to the printer.

--

HTH
Stephen Lebans
http://www.lebans.com
Access Code, Tips and Tricks
Please respond only to the newsgroups so everyone can benefit.

 

[lunde]

Yes, you can embed a Word or WordPad doc directly in an OLE field in your
MDB. But I would advise against it.

Use a form as the UI for the user to select the invoice to print and which
promotional/instructional PDF files you wish to print. Output the report and
then programmatically send the desired PDF's to the printer.

Thanks Stephen,

The invoices and packing lists are produced batch every morning, and
then sent to our warehouse in one large pdf-file for pick-pack and
despatch. What I would like is to include some text segments that we
pick individually per customer based on whether it is a new/old
customer, the type of product he is buying, country etc.

I guess your warning about embedding Word doc's directly is due to
performance issues, but is it then possible to store the text segments
in for example a memo-field AND keep the formatting when generating the
report?

 

[Stephen Lebans]

YOu could use a RIch Text ActiveX control. The main limitation is that
CanGow/Shrink does not work well across page boundaries.

--

HTH
Stephen Lebans
http://www.lebans.com
Access Code, Tips and Tricks
Please respond only to the newsgroups so everyone can benefit.

 

[Cyber-guy via AccessMonster.com]

YOu could use a RIch Text ActiveX control. The main limitation is that
CanGow/Shrink does not work well across page boundaries.
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]

for example a memo-field AND keep the formatting when generating the
report?

How about creating pdf reports based on the parameters you mentioned, using
Stephen's PDFtoReport (works great by the way) - you can batch them with the
invoice, etc or email them to the warehouse as attachments. You can likely
personalize them with customer info, etc. to give them a personal touch
rather than a canned form letter type thing. I use PDFtoReport to generate
numbered reports and them email them in the background using Ostrosoft's SMTP
module. All in one click based on Customer info, work order, type of
transaction, etc.

Hope this helps,

Cyber-guy