I set up a query which requires the user to enter a report beginning date and a report ending date in order to run the report. Fine, works great.
I developed a report based on this query, therefore, when the user clicks the button to run this report (which generates the report in Print Preview) s/he is asked for those parameter values. Fine, works great. Users do not mind the parameter query.
HOWEVER, when the user attempts to print this report they are AGAIN asked for the same parameter value. Not fine. Users do not like this.
The users want to SEE the report electronically before wasting their paper and ink to print it, so I cannot simply change the command button to send the report directly to print.
So, is there any way to change this so they are asked only the one time for the parameter? I am asking this just in case, although, at my level (advanced beginner?) I sort of assume I am hosed and will either have to have two sets of command buttons (one to preview the report and one to print - thus giving the end user a choice to simply roll the dice and print without viewing) or spend another week trying to find some mysterious Visual Basic code that will accomplish the same thing much more elegantly.
And...in case you are wondering why entering dates 2x is so annoying - there are a total of 9 reports that have now been combined into another unbound report - each report based on a different query and at least 4 of these each ask for dates, so the end user is ALREADY being asked to enter the same dates multiple times. And one report includes static data from a previous report which I have set up to ask the user to enter this data manually (so that report, FYI, has a total of NINETEEN (19) dialogue boxes) because the alternative has been that the user inputs the data manually, anyway, into an Excel spreadsheet he created. At least my way about 50% of the data is populated automatically with only the 19 dialogue boxes filling in the rest.
I have since created a command button that exports to .pdf and opens that file automatically (so the parameter values are asked only 1 time), but I'm not sure that is going to fly as a "solution" to this problem. Like I said, I am not an expert and typically utilize the tools available easily in Access or by cutting and pasting code borrowed from elsewhere. So, suggestions and assistance are welcome.