Print Dialogue Box

[data808]

I have a print button and when you click on it, it shows a print dialogue box with limited features. I was wondering if there was a way to have a dialogue box that has print preview? This way I can see what the printout will look like before I print it.

Thanks.

[Minty]

What's the code behind the button?
You should be able to specify print preview as a option in the code.

[isladogs]

Add code like this to a command button on your form

DoCmd.OpenReport "YourReportName",acViewPreview

[data808]

Thanks for the reply. I actually have these print buttons on both forms and reports. It sounds like you are suggesting that the report itself, will serve as the print preview? Sorry if I'm wrong but I was looking for a more traditional way of viewing a print preview. Similar to how when you are in MS WORD and you go to File then Print and you get to see a picture of the document before you print it. Is there something like that? Right now, I just get this really limited version of a print dialogue box that has some options but print preview is not one of them. Here is the code behind my print buttons:

On Error Resume Next
DoCmd.RunCommand acCmdPrint
Me.txtTabStopper.SetFocus

[isladogs]

As well as sending reports direct to the print dialog, reports can be displayed on the screen in several ways:
a) layout view - allow final adjustments to the report design
b) report view - allow limited interaction including print buttons BUT doesn't look the same as it will when printed
c) print preview - displayed exactly as it will be printed - any buttons will not be displayed
A print preview ribbon is shown:



I usually set print preview as the default option for reports

[data808]

Sorry I guess I should have mentioned that my database is extremely locked up from the user. Basically the ribbon is gone, all the hotkeys or keys that could generally mess things up are locked. Navigation panel on the left is hidden. So basically the only thing the user has in front of them is the form/report. I do this to prevent accidental mistakes from happening and to have good control on the user experience. They have a login with password and even when they save records it has their initials tied to the record from their login and that will let us know who worked on the record. So it really is like a program. With that being said, do you have any other suggestions for that kind of environment?


Thanks for the help.

[isladogs]

Yes, it would have been a good idea to mention that important point right from the beginning!

However, I have plenty of experience of doing all that . . . and more
You can still open reports in print preview in that environment. When the report is closed the ribbon can be hidden again
Have a look at my article and example app on Controlling the Application Interface

[data808]

Wow that is interesting how you have a dedicated form just for controlling the user interface. I do like that idea but that seems like it will be a bit time consuming for me at the moment. I will keep it in mind for future ideas as I never thought of doing something like that before. Right now I have a splash screen that opens up the login form after a few seconds. It also hides the back window for access where the ribbon would be but that is hidden as well along with the navigation panel to the left. The thing I never really liked was how if the user clicks on the Access program in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen, that will enable for the back window to pop up on screen. So that does get a bit annoying. To remedy that, I created a minimize button on some forms to have the user click on it to make that back window go back down to the taskbar. I'm sure its not the best way to handle it but its been tolerable for now.

As far as my reports go, I basically do not have print preview options at the top of the report. The ribbon is hidden from the get go when the user generates the report. The only thing I have on the report that the user can interact with are 3 buttons. One is for printing, another for exporting to excel file, and last one is to close the report. Here is the print dialogue box the user gets if they click on the print button:



How would I get print preview as an option in this print dialogue window?

[isladogs]

Wow that is interesting how you have a dedicated form just for controlling the user interface. I do like that idea but that seems like it will be a bit time consuming for me at the moment.

Its designed as an example app to demonstrate various examples showing the application interface can be managed in code.
Normally, I just hide the Access application interface when my apps load. The nav pane & ribbon are automatically removed

Clicking the taskbar icon does NOT restore the application interface with the code I now use

Did you download & try the app? If not, I would do so as I think it will help you.
It includes 3 different ways of displaying reports when the interface is hidden

In answer to your question, you cannot get print preview to show up from the print dialog screen.
It works in reverse - the Print dialog is shown when you click the Print button on the print preview ribbon.
Try it for yourself