iDestination (Function)

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When should iDestination be used?

Printing in PDF format

Printing in HTML

Printing in XLS

Printing in RTF

Configuring the printer for printing in HTML, RTF and text format

Printing in PRN format

Printing in XML

Print characteristics

Printing on a fax

Printing a fax in landscape mode

Using a fax server installed on a computer other than the current computer

End of print

Printing via Bluetooth

See also

iDestination (Function)

In french: iDestination

Configures and returns the print destination.

You can print:

directly on the printer (syntax 1 and syntax 2).

On the application server (in deployment), the print can only be done on the printers connected to the server. This feature is mainly used for the Internet sites. For the Internet sites, the print should be done in the format of a file in generic PDF format (iGenericPDF constant).
directly in a file in text, HTM, RTF, PDF, PRN or XML format (syntax 3).

To obtain the same results during the development and on the deployed site, it is recommended to perform generic prints (with the iGenericPDF constant, for example).
Versions 15 and later
directly a duplicate (syntax 4).
New in version 15
directly a duplicate (syntax 4).
directly a duplicate (syntax 4).
directly on a fax (syntax 5 and syntax 6 sending a report to a fax number, for example). See Sending faxes for more details.

Example

// Print in HTML format
iDestination(iHTML, "C:\My documents\MyReport.HTM")
// "C:My documents\MyReport.HTM" corresponds to the name and
// path of the HTM file that will be created with "RPT_MySummaryReport"
iPrintReport(RPT_MySummaryReport)

// Print in PDF
FileName is string = CompleteDir(fDataDir()) + ...
"f" + Invoice + Customer + ".PDF"
iDestination(iGenericPDF, FileName)
iPrintReport(RPT_Invoice, Customer, Invoice)
// Checks whether it is a WEBDEV site
IF InWebMode() = True THEN
// Print performed from a WEBDEV site
// Send the file to the Web user
FileDisplay(FileName, "application/pdf")
Multitask(0)
// Delete the file from the server
fDelete(FileName)
END

// PCL printer to use
iDestination(iPCL, "\\MyNetwork\MyPrinter")
// Print in PCL format: iDestination(iPCL, "\My documents\MyFile.PCL")

// Generate a PRN file
iDestination(iPrinterFile, "C:\Temp\MyPrint.prn")

Versions 23 and later

// Generate a PDF file and open the default messaging software
iDestination(iPDFMail, "MyAttachment.PDF")

// Configure the email software (optional)
iParameterExport(iExportEmailRecipient, "Wam@CrazyMail.com; Celia.Wat@ZMail.fr")
iParameterExport(iExportEmailSender, "Itsme@Berrymail.com")
iParameterExport(iExportEmailSubject, "Result of yearly sales")

iPrintReport(RPT_MyReport)

New in version 23

Syntax

Printing directly to the printer or in a mini-preview Hide the details

iDestination([<Destination> [, <Name of the document>]])

<Destination>: Optional integer constant

Print destination.
iPrinter Direct print on the printer.
To directly print on a printer connected to the server, a specific configuration is required. See Configuring the server to perform a print for more details.
Versions 24 and later
iMiniPreview
New in version 24
iMiniPreview
iMiniPreview Printing in a mini-preview. This mini-preview allows you to display the pages to print and to define the printing options. Exports are also possible.
This constant is not available.

<Name of the document>: Optional character string (with quotes)

For direct printing (iPrinter constant), it corresponds to the name to be given to the printout. This name will identify the printout in the list of documents processed by the printer.
Versions 24 and later
For printing in a mini-preview (iMiniPreview constant), it corresponds to the title of the mini-preview window.
If this parameter is not specified, the default title will be "Report preview" followed by the report name.
If the user can generate files (Word, PDF, etc.) from the print mini-preview, the title of the preview will automatically be proposed as the file name. If this parameter is not specified, the name of the file will correspond to the name of the report.
New in version 24
For printing in a mini-preview (iMiniPreview constant), it corresponds to the title of the mini-preview window.
If this parameter is not specified, the default title will be "Report preview" followed by the report name.
If the user can generate files (Word, PDF, etc.) from the print mini-preview, the title of the preview will automatically be proposed as the file name. If this parameter is not specified, the name of the file will correspond to the name of the report.
For printing in a mini-preview (iMiniPreview constant), it corresponds to the title of the mini-preview window.
If this parameter is not specified, the default title will be "Report preview" followed by the report name.
If the user can generate files (Word, PDF, etc.) from the print mini-preview, the title of the preview will automatically be proposed as the file name. If this parameter is not specified, the name of the file will correspond to the name of the report.

Printing on a PCL printer directly Hide the details

iDestination(<iPCL> , <Printer to use>)

<iPCL>: Constant

iPCL: Constant used to print on a PCL printer directly.
Caution: you cannot print in landscape mode on a PCL printer.

<Printer to use>: Character string (with quotes)

Path and name of PCL printer used. This printer must be accessible.
If this printer is associated with the infrared port of Pocket PC, this parameter must correspond to:
the "IRDA:" string: if a single printer is enabled on the infrared port during the print.
the "IRDA:<Printer to use>" string: if several printers are enabled on the infrared port during the print.
If this printer is accessible via Bluetooth, this parameter must correspond to "<Name of virtual outgoing port of Bluetooth>:".
If several printers are using the Bluetooth technology, a window allowing the user to choose a printer will be displayed during the print. See remarks for more details.
If this printer is accessible via Wi-Fi or network, this parameter must correspond to the name and UNC path of printer.

Printing in a file (HTM, PCL, PDF, PRN, RTF, XLS, XML, ...) Hide the details

iDestination([<Type of destination file> [, <Name of file to create>]])

<Type of destination file>: Optional integer constant

Used to configure the type of file to create:
Versions 23 and later
iEmailPDF
New in version 23
iEmailPDF
iEmailPDF Direct print in a PDF file and open the messaging software on the current computer.
This PDF file is directly attached to a new email created by using the MAPI client installed by a messaging software of the current computer. The MAPI client and the application must be installed in the same compilation mode (32/64 bits).
The file will be named <Report name>.PDF (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory. If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.PDF.
Remark: You can configure the elements of the email with iParameterExport.
This constant is not available.
iFile Direct print in a text file. The file will be named <Report name>.TXT (where <Report name> corresponds to the name of report defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory. If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.TXT.
Caution: the printer settings are very important. See remarks.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iGenericFile Direct print in a text file. The file will be named <Report name>.TXT (where <Report name> corresponds to the name of report defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory. If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.TXT.
This print mode does not use the current print driver so that an identical result is guaranteed from one computer to another.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iPrinterFile Direct print in a PRN file (<Name of file to create> file). <Name of file to create> must contain the full name of PRN file.
Caution: the printer settings are very important. See remarks.
This constant is not available.
iHTML Direct print in an HTML file while using a style sheet. The file will be named <Report name>.HTM (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
This print mode must be used to support the layers in the HTML pages.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.HTM. No preview will be displayed.
Caution: the printer settings are very important. See remarks.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iGenericHTML Direct print in an HTML file while using a style sheet. The file will be named <Report name>.HTM (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
This print mode must be used to manage the layers in the HTML pages.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.HTM. No preview will be displayed.
This print mode does not use the current print driver so that an identical result is guaranteed from one computer to another.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iHTMLWithoutCSS Direct print in an HTML file without using a style sheet. The file will be named <Report name>.HTM (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
This print mode does not support layers in the HTML pages.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.HTM. No preview will be displayed.
Caution: the printer settings are very important. See remarks.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iGenericHTMLWithoutCSS Direct print in an HTML file without using a style sheet. The file will be named <Report name>.HTM (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
This print mode does not support layers in the HTML pages.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.HTM. No preview will be displayed.
This print mode does not use the current print driver so that an identical result is guaranteed from one computer to another.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iPCL Direct print in a PCL file (<Report name>.PCL file created in the application directory).
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.PCL.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iPDF Direct print in a PDF file. The file will be named <Report name>.PDF (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.PDF.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
iGenericPDF Direct print in a PDF file. The file will be named <Report name>.PDF (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.PDF.
Caution: The maximum format is the A4 format.
This print mode does not use the current print driver so that an identical result is guaranteed from one computer to another.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
iRTF Direct print in a RTF file. The file will be named <Report name>.RTF (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.RTF. No preview will be displayed.
Caution: the printer settings are very important. See remarks.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iGenericRTF Direct print in a RTF file. The file will be named <Report name>.RTF (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.RTF. No preview will be displayed.
This print mode does not use the current print driver so that an identical result is guaranteed from one computer to another.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iXLS Direct print in an XLS file. The file will be named <Report name>.XLS (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.XLS. No preview will be displayed.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iGenericXLS Direct print in an XLS file. The file will be named <Report name>.XLS (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.XLS. No preview will be displayed.
This print mode does not use the current printer driver so that an identical result is guaranteed from a computer to another one.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iXML Direct print in an XML file. The file will be named <Report name>.XML (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.XML. No preview will be displayed.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.
iGenericXML Direct print in an XML file. The file will be named <Report name>.XML (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.
If <Name of file to create> is specified, the file name will be <Name of file to create>.XML. No preview will be displayed.
This print mode does not use the current print driver so that an identical result is guaranteed from one computer to another.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.
This constant is not available.

<Name of file to create>: Optional character string

Name of generated file. If this parameter is not specified, the name of generated file corresponds to "Report Name". When printing in PRN format (with the iPrinterFile constant), the full name of file to create must be specified.

Printing a duplicate copy Hide the details

iDestination(<Destination type> [, <Name of file to create> [, <Certificate> [, <Password>]]])

<Destination type>: Integer constant

Used to configure the type of file to create:
Versions 15 and later
iDuplicate
New in version 15
iDuplicate
iDuplicate Direct print in a duplicate file. The file will be named <Report name>.DPL (where <Report name> corresponds to the report name defined in the report editor). This file is created in the application directory.

Caution: This constant can only be used to print a duplicate copy and not to start a print.
To create a duplicate copy of a print, we recommend that you use iParameterDuplicate then iDestination to print on the printer.
If the file directory is not specified, the file is generated in the data directory of the site. This directory can be configured by WDCOMPTE. This directory is returned by fDataDir. We recommend that you use iLastFile to open the last generated file.

<Name of file to create>: Optional character string

Name of duplicate file to create (without extension). The created file will be <Name of file to create>.DPL.
If this parameter corresponds to an empty string (""), the name of generated file will correspond to "Report Name".DPL.

<Certificate>: Certificate variable

Versions 16 and later
Name of Certificate variable containing the certificate that will be used to sign the duplicate.
New in version 16
Name of Certificate variable containing the certificate that will be used to sign the duplicate.
Name of Certificate variable containing the certificate that will be used to sign the duplicate.

<Password>: Character string (with quotes)

Versions 16 and later
Password of generated duplicate.
New in version 16
Password of generated duplicate.
Password of generated duplicate.

Printing on a fax directly without managing a status report (Windows 2000 and XP) Hide the details

iDestination(<iFax> , <Fax number to dial>)

<iFax>: Constant

iFax: Constant used to print on a fax directly.

<Fax number to dial>: Character string

Phone number corresponding to the fax where the print must be sent.
Caution: A modem must be installed on the current computer. The fax number must correspond to the features specified when configuring the modem.

Printing on a fax directly while managing a status report (Windows 2000 and XP) Hide the details

<Result> = iDestination(<iFax> , <Fax number to dial> , <Fax name> [, <Name or identifier of fax server>])

<Result>: Integer

Identifier of the connection to the fax server,
0 if an error occurred. The corresponding error message is returned by ErrorInfo.

<iFax>: Constant

iFax: Constant used to print on a fax directly.

<Fax number to dial>: Character string

Phone number corresponding to the fax where the print must be sent.
Caution: a modem must be installed on the current computer. The fax number must correspond to the features specified when configuring the modem.

<Fax name>: Character string

Name used to identify the outgoing fax. The status of outgoing fax is returned by FaxStatus.

<Name or identifier of fax server>: Optional character string or integer

Share name of fax server.
If this parameter is not specified or if it corresponds to an empty string, the fax server corresponds to the default fax server.
Caution: the fax server must be started and configured in outgoing mode. For more details, see Sending faxes.
Identifier of fax server: If FaxConnect was used before iPreview, this parameter may correspond to the identifier of the fax server connection returned by FaxConnect.

Remarks

When should iDestination be used?

iDestination must be the first print function called. It must be called before iPrint, iCreateFont, etc. However, iDestination must be called after iConfigure or iParameter.

Remark: iDestination can be called before printing a report (with iPrintReport) to choose the print destination.

Printing in PDF format

The generated PDF file can be directly printed by iPrintPDF.

Printing in HTML

If the print is performed in an HTML page with a style sheet (iHTMLCSS constant), the style sheet is included in the HTML file. The method for printing in an HTML file is identical to the method for printing on a printer. The layers are supported and the management of the font size is precise.
If the print is performed in an HTML page without style sheet (iHTML constant), the following limitations may occur:
- management of font size not precise
- overlay not supported. You cannot write on an image for example.
The fonts oriented at 90° are not printed properly in the HTML file: the text is displayed with an horizontal font.
The rounded borders are not printed. They are replaced by standard borders.

Printing in XLS

The Image, Bar Code and Chart controls are not printed.

Printing in RTF

Printing in RTF format only supports the text (with its style) and the images. The overlay of objects is not supported (lines or images). Several text lines cannot be displayed beside an image for example.
The fonts oriented at 90° are not printed properly in the HTML file: the text is displayed with an horizontal font.
To print in RTF format, the "RICHED20.DLL" file must be found on the current computer. In most cases, the "RICHED20.DLL" file is in the Windows system directory.
The borders are not printed.
Versions 20 and later
The tables are supported by the RTF format. The font color and the background color of cells are stored.
New in version 20
The tables are supported by the RTF format. The font color and the background color of cells are stored.
The tables are supported by the RTF format. The font color and the background color of cells are stored.

Configuring the printer for printing in HTML, RTF and text format

If the print is performed in a text file, only the text is retrieved: the lines, the images, ... are ignored.
Printing in HTML, RTF or text format depends on the configuration and on the resolution of the current printer. Therefore, if the current printer is configured in landscape mode with margins, these options will be used when printing in HTML, text or RTF format.
The finer the printer resolution is, the better the quality of the RTF, text or HTML print will be.
To avoid the overlapping problems when printing in HTML mode, you have the ability to adjust the printer settings.

Printing in PRN format

When printing in PRN format, the PRN file is specific to the selected printer. This file is directly created by the printer driver, it is a binary file that can be interpreted by the printer.

This file can be printed thereafter on the specified printer or on any other printer of the same type via the "Print" command of DOS. The syntax of this command is:

Print /D:\\<Computer name>\<Name of declared printer> <Name of PRN file>

Example:

Print /D:\\Doc_Computer\CanonLBP Output.prn

Remark: For a network printer, you must use the share name instead of the printer name. The share name is found in the "Share" tab of printer description.

Printing in XML

When printing in XML format, only the data is printed. The characteristics of the page layout (lines, ...) are ignored.

Print characteristics

When printing in PDF, the characteristics of the PDF file can be configured with iParameterPDF.
When printing in XLS, the characteristics of the XLS file can be configured with iParameterXLS.

Printing on a fax

Two syntaxes can be used to send a print to a fax:

Fax without management of status report. The print (performed later by iPrintReport for example) is directly sent to the specified phone number.
Fax with management of status code. The print (performed thereafter by iPrintReport for example) is sent to the specified phone number, via a fax server. iPreview returns the identifier of connection to this fax server. This identifier, as well as the name given to the fax, allow you to check the status of the outgoing fax with the Fax functions. See Sending faxes for more details.

Printing a fax in landscape mode

To configure the print of a fax in landscape mode (printing several faxes, including one in landscape mode), the print functions must be used in the following order:

iDestination associated with the iFax constant.
iParameter used to switch to landscape mode.

If this order is not respected, the setting of landscape mode will be ignored by the driver for fax management.

Example:

iDestination(iFax, "00046032032","Fax")
iParameter("ORIENTATION=LANDSCAPE")
iPrint("Print in landscape mode")
iEndPrinting()

Using a fax server installed on a computer other than the current computer

You have the ability to use a fax server installed on a computer other than the current computer. In this case, the computer where the fax server is installed must be running Windows Server 2003. The fax server must be shared. Then, the name of fax server must be specified in iDestination.

The computer from which the faxes will be sent must be equipped with a local fax server.

For example, if the fax server is installed on "FaxServer1", use the following syntax:

iDestination(iFax, "00046032032","Fax","\\FaxServer1\Fax_Share")

End of print

iEndPrinting must necessarily be called to end the print except after a call to iPrintReport.

The next prints will be performed on the printer except if iDestination is run again.

Printing via Bluetooth

To print via Bluetooth, you must:

use a PCL printer.
use a printer that supports the Bluetooth serial layer.
know the name of the Bluetooth virtual outgoing port. This name can be retrieved from the Bluetooth settings of the PC/Pocket PC or from the documentation of the PC/Pocket PC.
In most cases, this name corresponds to "COM8:".

See Printing via Bluetooth for more details.

Business / UI classification: Neutral code

Component: wd260prn.dll