Reports: Snapshot / Runtime / PDF

[Brad Janisch]

I have created a reporting tool within Access 97 from
which users will run a series of reports from Access
Runtime. A recent request from one of my users was made
to produce the reports in a format that could be e-
mailed. As a result, I decided to create a simple "Output
To" macro that saves and displays the report in Snapshot.
Everything seemed to work great until my user group got a
hold of it.

The problem is every time the users who are on Runtime
try to execute the macro that outputs the reports to
Snapshot, they receive an "Action Failed" message. I have
tested the macros out on 5 machines that have Runtime and
5 machines that have Access 97. The only ones that fail
are the machines with Runtime. I haven't been able to
find anything in the MS KB or on the community board to
indicate there is a conflict between Runtime and
Snapshot, so I have no idea where to turn.

Does anyone have any idea why the "Output To" macro would
not work on Runtime?

After reading many of the post over the last month, I
understand another approach may be to create the report
as a PDF. I do not know SQL or code and was wondering if
anyone could tell me how (step by step, if possible) I
could approach this as a solution.

Thanks a million
Brad

 

[SA]

Brad:

1.) The Access 97 run time, if its hasn't been updated from the original
release, doesn't support Snapshots. They were introduced in Access 97
Service release 1. Frankly I don't exactly remember whether the run time
had a specific update for service release 1 available, but I believe that it
did; however I couldn't find it on the MS download site in the support area
or MSDN; its just too old; so you are not likely to get that support in the
run time (you might try applying the standard Office SR1 patch to a run time
install, but I don't think it will address that issue.)

2.) You you are interested in outputting PDF files, you might take a look at
our PDF and Mail Library for Access which can allow automation of pdf output
provided that each user had an install of one of the supported PDF printer
drivers. You'll find it on our web.