You are right Erika. I am strictly talking about RTF file format with MergeFilePrint() command. RTF seems to address the most of the merge print needs and I have come to like it so much. I have realized that MergeFilePrint() command takes care of other file formats such as HTM, PS and txt in addition to RTF and I believe some of the limitations with RTF file are particularly linked to that broad applicability.  With RTF fomat, since most of the issues can be handled from Sesame side with s-basic, I can live with it.  However, RTF file is method of choice as mentioned in the Programming Guide, separate command could be made available addressing to the need of just RTF file. Or am I asking too much?

Quote:

Thanks.

Hi Bob,  You are the one who started this thread!

Yes, this is indeed an eye opener as to what simple one line command can do for you. I have gone through the drudgery of going through customizing and formating values in MS Word using Mergefield switches and going through Word Macro and even a little of VB and all that for practically nothing and never could get it to work to my 100% satisfaction.

As far as @PrintString ( ) goes, I like it and have used it for precise printing as it is required in  pre-printed forms.  But for an average user, one has to work with it and devote quite a long time to be comfortable using it and get some great results. But you are right, once you get it to work, there is no looking back. It will work great every  time and since no external program involved, we are not at the mercy of other program or company.

Credit goes to Sesame development team to provide us with all different tools to work with and meeting everybody's needs as per ones comfort level, temperament and working knowledge.

For me, I have come to rely on MergeFilePrint() in RTF format for my mergeprint requirement and very happy with it so far.  This thread has explored the command to the fullest.... or may be not. Still a lot can be done with it!!!

Set printer as default
    RUNDLL32 PRINTUI.DLL,PrintUIEntry /y /n "printer"

The above command seems to work fine. I ran that using "RUN" box and it did change the default printer.

However I do not understand how to set up the following file in order to reset the default printer again.

Restore all printer settings from a file
    RUNDLL32 PRINTUI.DLL,PrintUI /Sr /n "printer" /a "file.dat"


Or just may be I can use the first command again to set the normal default printer. One before the the MergeFilePrint() command and one after to reset to original printer. I would appreciate the guidance in this matter.  Thanks.

Bharat

Thanks Ray. I think now incorporating this, we should be able to use any printer on the network with MergeFilePrint ( ) with RTF file and Windows OS without displaying the document to be printed (on the fly).

Yes, It can be done. It requires a little work but If your application warrants it, it can be done.

Here how I did it.

First find out the code for Color from RTF file. You can make any dummy file and open it in the Notepad. you will see the code..

For blue it is  -   \cf2\insrsid16728339\charrsid16728339

(The above might have included codes for fonts and other enhancements)

Just place that in front of text that you want to merge.

vName = "\cf2\insrsid16728339\charrsid16728339" + " " + vName


When you assign ";Name=" vName

Name mergefield in the rtf display will be blue.

MergeFilePrint ( ) with RTF file is indeed impressive. Since all your work is done in Sesame with SBasic, you have a lot more control on format of the output.

Bharat

I did a little further studies and following is my take.

RTF file studies:

http://www.biblioscape.com/rtf15_spec.htm

Following code will work and it will terminate the the mergefield color properly unlike the earlier code.

vName = "{\f1\cf6\insrsid13335651\charrsid13335651 " +  vName + "}{\f1\insrsid13335651   }"

Here in the above code cf6 represent the red color. insrsid13335651\charrsid13335651 etc. represent the font and size etc. I believe, you will have to get yours using notepad if it is to match with rest of your document.

cf6 - Red
cf2 - Blue
cf4 - Green
cf7 - Yellow
cf5 - Pink
cf12 - Violet

In the Match parameter the part of the code will be ";Name=" + vName

Where Name is the Merge field in the document.

If vSex = "M" then
        {
                 vName = "{\f1\cf2\insrsid13335651\charrsid13335651 " +  vName +    "}{\f1\insrsid13335651   }"

        }
     Else if vSex = "F" then
        {
                 vName = "{\f1\cf5\insrsid13335651\charrsid13335651 " +  vName +    "}{\f1\insrsid13335651   }"

        }

The above when merged in the document - will produce Blue colors for Boy's Name and Pink for Girl's name!!!

Thanks Carl. I am looking forward to seeing the solution. In the meanwhile, I am using MergeFilePrint() quite a lot and with good results. I have been using following function to fold and it has been working pretty good.

Function udf_MakeItFlat (vString as String) as String
//vString is Elements and varibles separated by default separator ";"
var vBlock as String
var n as Int

//Build the Block

//WriteLN (vString)

For n = 1 to @CountStringArray (vString)
     //WriteLn ("Number of Strings is " + @Str (@CountStringArray (vString)))      
     If vBlock  =  "" then
           {
                 vBlock = @AccessStringArray (vString, n)
           }
           Else
           {
                 vBlock = vBlock + @NL ( ) + @AccessStringArray (vString, n)
           }

  Next
//WriteLN ("vBlock before Removing Blank lines is " + vBlock)

// Remove blank lines
While @IN (vBlock, @NL( ) + @NL( )) > 0
     {
           vBlock = @Replace(vBlock, @NL() + @NL(), @NL() )
     }
//WriteLN ("vBlock after Removing Blank lines is " + vBlock)

// Insert RTF paragraph tags

vBlock = @Replace(vBlock, @NL(), "\par " )

//WriteLN ("vBlock after placing \par " + vBlock)

Return (vBlock)
End Function