I know this question has been asked before, but I've searched this website and every link and suggestion has proved unsuccessful: I'm trying to download reports from access to Word and Excel and losing the formatting...I don't want to create a .pdf, and Snapshot is not an option. I also don't want to purchase any sharewares. I even found links to 5 articles in Microsoft.com, but they are old and don't exist anymore. AACK! So if anyone has any other ideas, PUH-LEEESE help me!
losing formatting
- Thread starter jive6243
- Start date
David R
I know a few things...
- Local time
- Yesterday, 19:03
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2001
- Messages
- 2,632
You've pretty much exhausted your options, as far as I can tell.
Snapshot Viewer allows you to view a point-of-time report, with all Access formatting and tricks in place. It does require a small download the first time you use it, but after that it will work on that computer from then on, like Acrobat or any other executable. Why does this not fit your needs?
Publishing with Word/Excel, as you've found, creates an .rtf file that loses some special Access formatting. On the plus side, it doesn't require an additional download for 95% of people.
If you need your data to be malleable, you may want to use a Form instead of a Report. Have you looked into the Access Developer's Runtime version? It allows you to run Access files, but not change design, and it is less able to handle run-time errors (i.e., not at all).
I don't know if there are any Access->XML programs out there, but they might be able to convert MOST of your report into a usable, webpublishable report. You will likely still lose some formatting. You did say you didn't want to use any sharewares though, so I'm not sure what else there is.
David R
Snapshot Viewer allows you to view a point-of-time report, with all Access formatting and tricks in place. It does require a small download the first time you use it, but after that it will work on that computer from then on, like Acrobat or any other executable. Why does this not fit your needs?
Publishing with Word/Excel, as you've found, creates an .rtf file that loses some special Access formatting. On the plus side, it doesn't require an additional download for 95% of people.
If you need your data to be malleable, you may want to use a Form instead of a Report. Have you looked into the Access Developer's Runtime version? It allows you to run Access files, but not change design, and it is less able to handle run-time errors (i.e., not at all).
I don't know if there are any Access->XML programs out there, but they might be able to convert MOST of your report into a usable, webpublishable report. You will likely still lose some formatting. You did say you didn't want to use any sharewares though, so I'm not sure what else there is.
David R
Thanks for the reply, David. I have 3 reasons I can't use Snapshot - 1. My company doesn't allow/support it. 2. It would be a pain to ensure everybody both inside/outside the company has downloaded it, and 3. My experience with Snapshot has proved that formatting can be lost with that, too (words getting cut off, lines missing, etc.). Creating a .pdf is MY favorite idea, but unfortunately, the data needs to be manipulated after downloading. I'm beginning to think there are no other options...
David R
I know a few things...
- Local time
- Yesterday, 19:03
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2001
- Messages
- 2,632
My condolences. It sounds like your hands are tied. Perhaps you can show them what can be done with Snapshot viewer, or PDF, and successfully convince them to be computer-smart, instead of corporate-smart.
I work in government, which is no better, believe me.
Good luck,
David R
I work in government, which is no better, believe me.
Good luck,
David R
