How to enabled collate checkbox

[csr]

When I print something using MSWORD and the print selection window opens, I find that there is a COLLATE checkbox enabled with a checkmark in it.

However, I have also noticed that the COLLATE checkbox is blank and disabled (dim) when we print through VFP software.

Does anyone know why this might be and is there some way to get that COLLATE checkbox to be enabled in VFP ?

Thanks.




Don

 

[Mike Lewis]

Don,

I've noticed this too, and have always assumed you cannot control it in VFP. Maybe someone can tell us more.

Of course, you could always do your own printer dialogue with a Collate checkbox. If the user selects that option, print the report multiple times. But that could be very much slower.

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

 

[AirCon]

Don

Collate will enable if you set Number of copies > 1

Regards

-- AirCon --

 

[Mike Lewis]

AirCon,

Collate will enable if you set Number of copies > 1


Hmm. Just tried that, and it didn't enable the checkbox. (Tried it in VFP 7.0, using the REPORT ... PROMPT dialogue.)

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

 

[AirCon]

Mike,

Hmmm strange...it works for me here. I'm using VFP7 SP1 / W2K



-- AirCon --

 

[Mike Lewis]

AirCon,

I'll try it with different versions and OSs when I get a moment.

Meanwhile, maybe others can try it too.

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

 

[csr]

I have found that if I select more than 2 or more copies, the collate checkbox WILL enable. That is the good news.

The bad news is that even though I check the collate checkbox, the print job does not come out collated.



Don

 

[csr]

I am trying to not let this die.

This is a significant problem with VFP.

Any help out here ?



Don

 

[Mike Lewis]

Don,

I have found that if I select more than 2 or more copies, the collate checkbox WILL enable.

Not on my system it doesn't.

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

 

[Mike Lewis]

Don,

If you can't find a way to make this work, you could always go back to my earlier suggestion of creating your own printer dialogue. To enable collating, just print the report mutliple times -- if you can stand the performance hit.

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

 

[AirCon]

Mike,

Maybe these links can explain why "Collate" doesn't work in your system

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;175738

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;205550

-- AirCon --

 

[Mike Lewis]

AirCon,

The first article applies to PostScript printers. I don't know what kind of printer Don has, but mine is a LaserJet (not Postscript).

The second article says "The availability of the ... [collate checkbox] ... is printer driver dependent."

I'm sure that's true. But Don also said that the checkbox is available in Word, but not in VFP (which is also my experience).

BTW, Don, what printer are you using?

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

 

[csr]

The printer I am using is ....

HP Laserjet 5si PCL 5e


We are not using the Postscript functionality of the printer.

We have installed all of the NT patches,etc ...


This problem is noticeable in all of the custom software I have created for in-house use and it is also found when using a piece of software called ACCPAC which uses VFP (version 6 I think) code.

Only those applications associated with VFP seem to exhibit that type of behavior.



Don

 

[Mike Lewis]

Don,

Yes, that's very similar to my own experience.

Mike


Mike Lewis
Edinburgh, Scotland

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk

 

[csr]

Well, we have the problem clearly defined.

Now, lets see if we can get some solutions.




Don

 

[Neil Toulouse]

Just to add to this, I have several printers attached to my machine (XP Pro) and they all allow collate if copies > 1 (haven't checked to see if this actual does anything though).

The printers are:

HP Color LaserJet 2500 PCL6
Generic/Text only
HP DeskJet 500
HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL6
HP LaserJet 500+

Neil

"I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours..."

 

[csr]

Well, it would certainly be helpful for us to find out if any of those printers will actually do the collating when you request it while using VFP code.


Don

 

[Neil Toulouse]

I have just printed a 3 page report, 2 copies, collated and the output was as expected ( ie 1,2,3,1,2,3). This was on the 4050 LaserJet. I will try the others when I get a spare second!!

Neil

"I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours..."

 

[csr]

Fatslug ...

What software are you using to do this printing ?
Some custom VFP software you have written or a commercial package ?




Don

 

[Neil Toulouse]

Standard VFP 6 - from the command line!

SELECT MyReportCursor
REPORT FORM MyReport TO PRINTER PROMPT PEVIEW

Hit PRINT button. Set copies to 2 and ticked collate.

Neil

"I like work. It fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours..."