The solution is an automated multi-pass printing. We made sure to make this as flexible as possible. You can decide to show the passes in the result, which enables similar things like the issue printing. However, this time offering full flexibility and not being restricted to just showing or hiding objects. You can also hide passes, e.g. all except the last, and work with SetVar() and GetVar() to talk to your future self. Sounds crazy? Let's dive into it.
"Sales by customers"+SetVar("Reference.Chart1", Page$(), false)
SetVar is a powerful function that allows to store arbitrary values for future reference. The first parameter can be named arbitrarily. Setting the third parameter to "false" makes sure nothing is actually printed. In the "Summary" object, we can then reference this variable like this:
List & Label already supports a kind of similar feature - printing multiple issues. If you set the issue count e.g. to two, you'll get a copy of the original print but can add a "Display Condition for Issue Print" to an object. The cool part is, this will just need one pass and still allow to show or hide certain objects in the copy. However, this is the only thing you can do – the copy is identical in every other means. A typical usage for issue printing is e.g. printing a "Copy" watermark on an invoice.
If you need more flexibility, the passes are here for the rescue. The origin of this feature comes from Idea Place, our portal for user innovation. As an example, let's have a combined invoice and delivery note print. While they're quite similar, you need somewhat different informations on the slip.
Let's change the header from "Invoice" to Delivery Note" for the second pass. It's simple:
Cond(PrintPassIndex()==1, "Invoice", "Delivery Note")
I'm looking forward very much to seeing what else this feature will be used for – it's an all-purpose-answer for many requests we've received in the past. More new features in List & Label 26: What's New for .NET? Powerful, Reusable Sub-Reports for Your Reports New Drag & Drop Features for the Table
Jochen Bartlau leads the development at combit as Managing Director. He's a Microsoft .NET enthusiast driving innovation & agile project management. The mobile devices geek who used to be a physicist in his first life loves to spend his spare time with his family.