printing

[diqua]

all right im trying to make my project print from a file using the Microsoft common dialogs... its not working

code:

cdlPrint.FileName = "temp.tmp" cdlPrint.ShowPrinter

if someone could tell me how to use the common dialogs it would be greatly appreciated

btw im using VB6

[GlobeTrotter]

I am not familiar with printing from a file, I do know this however. I had a similar problem when printing the form.

VisualBASIC:

On Error Resume Next 'Pressing cancel produces an error     dlgPrint.ShowPrinter     If Err.number = 0 Then 'Print if they click print         Me.PrintForm     End If

The thing is, it is not good enough to show the dialogue. That only allows the user to change settings. You check if they didn't press cancel, then you have to actually print it. I'm sure there's some command for printing from a file, similar to what Me.Printform does.

[Monstrosity_]

GlobeTrotter wrote:

On Error Resume Next 'Pressing cancel produces an error

bad habbit, and no it doesnt (not in that sense anyway).

diqua wrote:

if someone could tell me how to use the common dialogs it would be greatly appreciated

Notes: Im using CommonDialog 6.0, and the control is named CD throughout.

Here are the basics for files:
1. CD.ShowOpen / .ShowSave - Show the dialog, then returns once user is done.
2. CD.CancelError - True/False depending on weither cancel was pressed.
3. CD.FileName - The full name and path of the file selected.
4. CD.FileTitle - The file name by itself.

The basics for printers:
1. this explains better then I can.
2. CD.CancelError - Same as for the files.
3. CD.Copies - Returns or sets a the number of copies to be printed.

If you decide you need DefaultPrint to be false, read this which explains what to expect, but as long as its true, it should be ok to use methods like Me.PrintForm, or any of the Printer object's methods.

Since you dont want to print the form, theres more to explain. You will want to open "Printer.Port" the same way you would open a file, then output just as you would to a file, keeping in mind to close the object and "Printer.EndDoc".

Those are the BASICS to help you on your way. Once you play around and get the hang of things. You might want to go here and check out the other properties and methods the control has.

I've spent longer then I wished explaining this, and im not going to waste more time opening VB and checking the correctness of it, any problems with it just come back and tell me.

Edit:
Although it seems to be undocumented, theres also a method that goes like...

VisualBASIC:

Printer.Print your_string_variable_here

which will make it ALOT easier.

[diqua]

this my entire code thanks alot to Monstrosity_

code:

Private Sub optPrint_Click()     Dim intNumber As Integer, strname As String     Open "temp.tmp" For Output As #1         For intNumber = 0 To (lstNames.ListCount - 1)             lstNames.Selected(intNumber) = True ' send to the file the names in the list             strname = lstNames.Text             Print #1, strname         Next intNumber     Close #1     cdlPrint.CancelError = True     On Error GoTo ErrHandler     cdlPrint.ShowPrinter     Printer.NewPage     Open "//a/" & Printer.Port For Output As #1 ' a = printer location         Open "temp.tmp" For Input As #2             Do Until EOF(2)                 Input #2, strname                 Print #1, strname             Loop         Close #2     Close #1     Printer.EndDoc ErrHandler:     Exit Sub End Sub