I would like to create a new print to file type in the print dialog. I would like to have a file type of CSV with the extension csv. I still need to keep the txt file type. I am using D7 and RB9. Will I need to create a custom dialog?
If you have created a descendent to the TppFileDevice class, you can register that with the report devices and it will automatically show up in the list of file types. Otherwise, you will need to create a custom Print dialog. See the article below on how this can be done.
------------------------------------------------------------ Tech Tip: Replacing Built-in Dialogs/Forms in ReportBuilder ------------------------------------------------------------
ReportBuilder has an open architecture for replacing any of the built-in dialogs. You can replace any of the built-in dialogs by creating a new form that inherits from an abstract ancestor and then registering it as the new built-in dialog.
For example to replace ReportBuilder's print dialog you could
1. Create a new Print dialog by renaming ReportBuilder's default print dialog, then doing a SaveAs to save it under another unit name.
The default dialog resides in RBuilder\Source\ppPDlg.pas and the form is called ppPrintDialog. You should assign your form a unique name, for example, myPrintDlg, and save the unit to another name. Also save the unit to the directory where your other forms are stored (not RBuilder\Source).
2. Make desired changes.
You will notice that the print dialog inherits from an ancestor TppCustomPrintDialog - this ancestor resides in ppForms.pas (where all the abstract ancestor forms for ReportBuilder are defined).
3. Register the new form.
Declare an initializtion section at the bottom of the unit:
Now your preview dialog should be automatically created and destroyed by ReportBuilder. The two page preview dialog in the RBuilder\Demos\Reports\Demo.dpro was created this same way. The only difference is the ppRegisterForm call is in then OnClick event of the button.
Comments
If you have created a descendent to the TppFileDevice class, you can
register that with the report devices and it will automatically show up in
the list of file types. Otherwise, you will need to create a custom Print
dialog. See the article below on how this can be done.
------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Tip: Replacing Built-in Dialogs/Forms in ReportBuilder
------------------------------------------------------------
ReportBuilder has an open architecture for replacing any of the built-in
dialogs. You can replace any of the built-in dialogs by creating a new form
that inherits from an abstract ancestor and then registering it as the new
built-in dialog.
For example to replace ReportBuilder's print dialog you could
1. Create a new Print dialog by renaming ReportBuilder's default print
dialog, then doing a SaveAs to save it under another unit name.
The default dialog resides in RBuilder\Source\ppPDlg.pas and the form is
called ppPrintDialog. You should assign your form a unique name, for
example, myPrintDlg, and save the unit to another name. Also save the unit
to the directory where your other forms are stored (not RBuilder\Source).
2. Make desired changes.
You will notice that the print dialog inherits from an ancestor
TppCustomPrintDialog - this ancestor resides in ppForms.pas (where all the
abstract ancestor forms for ReportBuilder are defined).
3. Register the new form.
Declare an initializtion section at the bottom of the unit:
initialization
ppRegisterForm(TppCustomPrintDialog, TMyPrintDialog);
4. Add the new unit to your project and compile.
Now your preview dialog should be automatically created and destroyed by
ReportBuilder. The two page preview dialog in the
RBuilder\Demos\Reports\Demo.dpro was created this same way. The only
difference is the ppRegisterForm call is in then OnClick event of the
button.
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Regards,
Nico Cizik
Digital Metaphors
http://www.digital-metaphors.com
Nico Cizik
Digital Metaphors
http://www.digital-metaphors.com