The PRINTING classes
The PRINTING classes
These classes are designed to allow the layout, preview and printing of text from within a VB application.
There are two classes,
PPpages, which is used to create a set of pages and deals with operations which apply to the WHOLE SET, and
PPpage, which deals with the methods and properties applicable to a SINGLE page.
PPpages
This class has the following Methods and Properties,
| Method | Operation |
| Add | Add a page to a collection |
| delete | Delete a page from a collection |
| mt | Empty a collection |
| page_parms | Set the page parameters |
| set_pinc | Set the page number increment, 1 or 2 |
| change_v_bar | Change the vertical Scroll bar position † |
| change_h_bar | Change the horizontal Scroll bar position † |
| zoom | Zoom in or out, (Left click), to a maximum of 300% † |
| switch_zoom | Toggle the direction of zoom, (Right click). † |
| close_preview | Close the Preview form † |
| print_it | Print or preview the current page |
| select_printer | Select a printer † |
| select_Excel_printer | Select a printer for use with Excel workbooks |
| page_setup | Set page data via the 'Page Setup' window |
| font_setup | Set font data via the 'Font Setup' window |
| Property | Data |
| page_data | Return page data, margins, etc. |
| find_index | Return the collection index of a page |
| find_page | Return a 'page' object |
| font_dta | Return the current font data |
| page_col | Return a 'pages' collection object |
† These methods exist to be accessed by the Preview Form and should not otherwise be used.
The units used for page sizes can be set to either inches or mm. by means of a flag variable.
PPpage
This class has the following Methods and Properties,
| Method | Operation |
| set_object | Select an alternative to the Preview form for display |
| set_p_col | Set the background colour of the display object. |
| add_text | Basic text routine. * |
| add_f_text | More advanced text routine. * |
| add_graphic | Adds a graphic images to a page. * |
| terminate | Terminate a line of text. |
| set_sizes | Set the page data, margins, etc. † |
| set_align | Set a global alignment for a page. |
| page_numbers | Add the numbers of a page |
| set_zoom | Set the zoom factor |
| font | Set ALL font parameters |
| set_font | Set a SINGLE font parameter |
| set_pp | Set the Print/Preview flag |
| head_foot | Add header or footer text. * |
| super_date | Construct a date string with days shown as, e.g. 15th. |
† This method exists only to transfer page data from a PPpages object and should not otherwise be used.
| Property | Data |
| page_number | Return the Local or Absolute number of a page |
| page_flag | Return the current Print/Preview flag |
| page_data | Return page data, margins, etc. |
| font_defaults | Return ALL the font parameters from the PPpages object |
| font_data | Return a SINGLE font parameter |
| centre | Return an offset to centre a piece of text |
| line_height | Return the current line separation |
add_text is a basic text display routine. It will add a line of text formatted Left, Right or Centre but the text is truncated if longer than a line width.
add_f_text is a more versitile text display routine which will wrap excess text onto a new line, allow Full justification as well as Left, Right and Centre and will recognise the following, in-line font formating codes,
| Code | Action |
| \ | Start of formating code |
| / | End of formating code |
| b | Set font Bold |
| i | Set font Italic |
| u | Underline text |
| t | Strike through the text |
| s | Set as superscript |
| p | Set as subscript |
| k | Backspace |
| y | Select 'Symbol' font |
| w | Select 'WingDings' font |
| d | Reselect the default font |
| q[digits] | Set the corresponding QB colour |
| [digits] | Set the point size to the value |
| n | Return to default font values |
* More detail on the operation of these methods is given here.