SV
asked on
Help needed to create a MS Access Report with VB
Hi,
I'm not sure wheter this is possible, but I need to create an Access Report from VB. (Not just call it.)
Background:
My VB app creates a table in Access with columns changes depending on user choices.
(The amount of columns and also the column names).
The report is not very complex. If I run report wizard in Access by selecting the mentioned table as my datasource and following the wizard, I get the desired results, by using the default values. The problem comes in when the table structure change, the report structure does not refresh accordingly.
I suppose what I'm trying to ask is, is there a way to 'use' the MS Access Report Wizard from within VB, and if so how..?
Thanx
S
I'm not sure wheter this is possible, but I need to create an Access Report from VB. (Not just call it.)
Background:
My VB app creates a table in Access with columns changes depending on user choices.
(The amount of columns and also the column names).
The report is not very complex. If I run report wizard in Access by selecting the mentioned table as my datasource and following the wizard, I get the desired results, by using the default values. The problem comes in when the table structure change, the report structure does not refresh accordingly.
I suppose what I'm trying to ask is, is there a way to 'use' the MS Access Report Wizard from within VB, and if so how..?
Thanx
S
why don't try Crystal Report or DataReport.
ASKER
Thanks for the suggestion, but unfortunately I'm not allowed to use Crystal Reports on this project,
and out of experience the datareport is to unstable, and the db is Access.
Bit of a tricky question, I suppose.
and out of experience the datareport is to unstable, and the db is Access.
Bit of a tricky question, I suppose.
VB let you manipulate (create/modifiy) tables, queries, users, even modules but not forms and reports of an Access database.
For very simple report, datareport can be enough.
Another way to go, could be Word or Excel that let you create whatever you want from VB.
For very simple report, datareport can be enough.
Another way to go, could be Word or Excel that let you create whatever you want from VB.
ASKER
Thanx, but there SHOULD be a way,
since Access is COM based,
we should be able to create it from VB. Don't you think?
The big problem is, that is what my boss wants. You all know the drill.
since Access is COM based,
we should be able to create it from VB. Don't you think?
The big problem is, that is what my boss wants. You all know the drill.
Do you have MSDN library install ?
just search "datareport" and a lot of definition and example will gift to you.
just search "datareport" and a lot of definition and example will gift to you.
Can this help you: http://www.accessreportwizard.com/arw/default.asp?CF=ARW
SV,
I do not know if this would be a good choice for you, but would your boss accept an Excel based report instead?
Leon
I do not know if this would be a good choice for you, but would your boss accept an Excel based report instead?
Leon
ASKER
Hi,
Nope! Don't think so.
Urgh! This is such an annoying problem.
Do you know if you can create or modify a report with a macro?
Nope! Don't think so.
Urgh! This is such an annoying problem.
Do you know if you can create or modify a report with a macro?
SV,
I have been working with VB and Access for ages. I have yet to be able to create an access report from VB. I was using datareports until I started using Crystal Reports with VB Net. you may be able to import the ADO Library reference and do something with the DBEngine, but I still do not think that you can create an access report from VB. VB is a tool used to access the information stored in Access and nothing more. The fact that you can compress and repair the database are also VB tools used for manipulating the data in the Access Database, however, creating an Access form is not a possibility that I have found yet, and trust me, its not that I havent tried. You can export to Excel, Word, Email, RTF, textfile, and CSV, but you cannot 'create' something in another program without knowing the ole interface (if they have made provision for such a feature). I know that even modifying Access tables from VB can be somewhat of a tedious chore.
I had the same instance happen to me with my boss, once I explained to him that he has all these other options easily and readily available to him, and I even did dynamic reporting with exportation to excel for all available reports, and Datareports for reporting purposes. He was sufficiently happy with the results. May I ask why it _has_ to be an Access Report?
wulfshayde
I have been working with VB and Access for ages. I have yet to be able to create an access report from VB. I was using datareports until I started using Crystal Reports with VB Net. you may be able to import the ADO Library reference and do something with the DBEngine, but I still do not think that you can create an access report from VB. VB is a tool used to access the information stored in Access and nothing more. The fact that you can compress and repair the database are also VB tools used for manipulating the data in the Access Database, however, creating an Access form is not a possibility that I have found yet, and trust me, its not that I havent tried. You can export to Excel, Word, Email, RTF, textfile, and CSV, but you cannot 'create' something in another program without knowing the ole interface (if they have made provision for such a feature). I know that even modifying Access tables from VB can be somewhat of a tedious chore.
I had the same instance happen to me with my boss, once I explained to him that he has all these other options easily and readily available to him, and I even did dynamic reporting with exportation to excel for all available reports, and Datareports for reporting purposes. He was sufficiently happy with the results. May I ask why it _has_ to be an Access Report?
wulfshayde
ASKER
Hi!
Thanks for the reply and the explanation. Problem is not really the boss, more a client issue. We said it will be in Access, and they might just decapitate us if we don't deliver exactly like we said.
So, I really need to get this done!
Thanks, so much for everyone's help on this. It just amazes me how nice people can be! :)
Thanks for the reply and the explanation. Problem is not really the boss, more a client issue. We said it will be in Access, and they might just decapitate us if we don't deliver exactly like we said.
So, I really need to get this done!
Thanks, so much for everyone's help on this. It just amazes me how nice people can be! :)
SV,
I dont know if this will help or not.
http://www.accessreportwizard.com/arw/default.asp?CF=ARW
Check it out.
-wulfshayde
I dont know if this will help or not.
http://www.accessreportwizard.com/arw/default.asp?CF=ARW
Check it out.
-wulfshayde
LOL, just noticed its the same as above.
friend :)
i think you got to explain your problem to your boss and told him about you wish to change your reporting tools.
switch to more powerful reporting tools will bring you a new gate.
i think you got to explain your problem to your boss and told him about you wish to change your reporting tools.
switch to more powerful reporting tools will bring you a new gate.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
What can I say ???? VB-Expert, thanks soooooooooo much! Your idea worked!
The code in the end was quite simple:
I've added a reference to Access and the following code did the trick!
Private Sub PrintReport()
Dim objAccess As Object
Dim dbname As String
dbname = "C:\Development\EMSCostDB.
Set objAccess = CreateObject("Access.Appli
With objAccess
.Visible = True
.OpenCurrentDatabase filepath:=dbname
End With
Application.Run "ACWZMAIN.auto_Entry", "tmpScenarios", 2, acReport
End Sub
Thanks again.
Shantell
The code in the end was quite simple:
I've added a reference to Access and the following code did the trick!
Private Sub PrintReport()
Dim objAccess As Object
Dim dbname As String
dbname = "C:\Development\EMSCostDB.
Set objAccess = CreateObject("Access.Appli
With objAccess
.Visible = True
.OpenCurrentDatabase filepath:=dbname
End With
Application.Run "ACWZMAIN.auto_Entry", "tmpScenarios", 2, acReport
End Sub
Thanks again.
Shantell
Wow, good one VB-Expert, I tried for months to make Access Reports in VB, couldn't and ended up using DataReports. Too bad I didn't know about EE then. LOL.