PRINT Preview
8.3
The Print Preview feature of Visual PL/B allows the user to view print output before it is sent to the print device. The output is previewed in the same format as it will appear when printed. Users will often find it unnecessary to actually print a document after previewing it.
The Print Preview feature requires the use of three PL/B verbs. The feature is enabled by using a special print device name in a PRTOPEN instruction. The PRTPAGE instruction provides the means of formatting the actual output. Upon execution of the PRTCLOSE instruction, the Print Preview window will appear.
Once the preview window appears, the user may control the process with the following command buttons:
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Button |
Function |
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Sends the output to the specified print device. |
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Next |
Moves to the next page of output. |
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Previous |
Moves to the previous page of output. |
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Zoom In |
Magnifies the image from an entire page on a screen to actual size. |
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Zoom Out |
Reduces the image from actual size to an entire page on the screen. |
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Close |
Cancels the preview without sending the output to the print device. |
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First Page |
Position to the first print page. |
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Last Page |
Position to the last print page. |
Additionally, the following mouse support is provided:
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Operation |
Function |
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Mouse Wheel |
Mouse operation scrolls a print page up and down. |
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Left Mouse Down |
Position to the bottom of a print page. |
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Right Mouse Down |
Position to the top of a print page. |
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Shift+Left Mouse Down |
Position to the top of the next print page. |
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Shift+Right Mouse Down |
Position to the top of the previous print page. |
Note the following:
Print Preview is initiated with the PRTOPEN instruction. By specifying a print device name of "@" or a valid device name preceded by an "@", the preview function is enabled.
The Print Preview window appears upon the execution of a PRTCLOSE instruction.
The command buttons and status bar caption displayed during in the Print Preview window may be modified by using the PLBWIN_PRTPREV runtime keyword.
The Print Preview window is a modal window prohibiting other windows from becoming active until the preview window is closed.
Program execution is suspended until the Print Preview window is closed.
Print Preview is not available when using the PLBCE runtime.
See Also: Example Code, PRTPAGE, Printer Instructions
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