Send Report as Attach via eMail

rbuser

I'm trying to create a new "Send Report Via eMail" checkbox (similar to
Print to File) in the RB Print Dialog screen (ppPDlg.pas), so when the
user check this option and press OK, the TExtraDevices Mail Dialog screen is
dispayed with the report alredy attached in the specified format.

Is this possible ??? What is the correct procedure to modify the RB Source
Code ??? Is there any writting document about this procedure ???
I received an Error Message compiling ppPDlg.pas : Internal Error U16 -
(referred to file ppFilDev).

Any suggestions are welcome, the idea is generate a report in an specified
format (using TExtraDevices) and attach it to an eMail, which can be
edited by the users using the eMail Dialog screen.

Thank you,
Jorge

nicocizik

Hi Jorge,

Rather than change the ReportBuilder source, you will want to simply
register a new dialog.

------------------------------------------------------------
Tech Tip: Replacing Built-in Dialogs/Forms in ReportBuilder
------------------------------------------------------------

ReportBuilder has an open architecture for replacing any of the built-in
dialogs. You can replace any of the built-in dialogs by creating a new form
that inherits from an abstract ancestor and then registering it as the new
built-in dialog.

For example to replace ReportBuilder's preview dialog you could

1. Create a new Preview dialog by renaming ReportBuilder's default preview
dialog, then doing a SaveAs to save it under another unit name.

The default dialog resides in RBuilder\Source\ppPrvDlg.pas and the form is
called ppPreviewDialog. You should assign your form a unique name, for
example, myPreviewDlg, and save the unit to another name. Also save the unit
to the directory where your other forms are stored (not RBuilder\Source).

2. Make desired changes.

You will notice that the preview dialog inherits from an ancestor
TppCustomPreviewDialog - this ancestor resides in ppForms.pas (where all the
abstract ancestor forms for ReportBuilder are defined).

3. Register the new form.

Declare an initializtion section at the bottom of the unit:

initialization

ppRegisterForm(TppCustomPreviewer, TmyPreviewDlg);


4. Add the new unit to your project and compile.

Now your preview dialog should be automatically created and destroyed by
ReportBuilder. The two page preview dialog in the
RBuilder\Demos\Reports\Demo.dpro was created this same way. The only
difference is the ppRegisterForm call is in then OnClick event of the
button.


--
Regards,

Nico Cizik
Digital Metaphors
http://www.digital-metaphors.com

rbuser

Hello Nico,

I'm going to try this idea, it looks more reasonable.
Could you please tell me where are stored the Tech-Tips ?
Is there a document with all this information we can download ?

Thanks a lot,
Jorge

rbuser

Sorry Nico, but this Tech Tip is really confusing me, I've trying different
ways with no results.
I think this document needs to be overhauled.

Thanks,
Jorge

form
new

This point means rename the file using the Windows Explorer, right ?
Where do you have to do a SaveAs under other unit name ?

preview

There is NO form called ppPreviewDialog.dfm in RB-Enterprise 7.04
I assume is ppPrvDlg.dfm, is that correct ?

is

It means I have to open the form in Delphi and save it under other name ?

where


My form does not inherit from TppCustomPreviewDialog.
The class definition is
TppPrintPreview = class(TppCustomPreviewer)

TppCustomPreviewDialog
forms for ReportBuilder are defined).

Where do I have to register the new form, which unit ?

ReportBuilder.
created this
OnClick event of the button.

nicocizik

Hi Jorge,

I apoligise about the tech tip, it does need to be updated. However the
concepts described about replacing a dialog in RB are still sound. Below is
a link to an example that creates a custom Print Dialog and registers it
with ReportBuilder. This should get you on the right track.

http://www.digital-metaphors.com/tips/CustomPrintDlg.zip

Note: All the Tech Tips articles can be found in the Tech-Tips newsgroup.

news://news.digital-metaphors.com/digital-metaphors.public.reportbuilder.tech-tips

--
Regards,

Nico Cizik
Digital Metaphors
http://www.digital-metaphors.com