Print Multiple Templates Automatically
I'd like to be able to print, two separate labels at a single time. Currently I have a form that lets you pick database records, then print 'Label A'. Then you load a new form and select the record(s) to print and print 'Label B'. How do I create an action or process by which we select the records to print, then it automatically prints both Labels ?
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Are the two labels printed on the same printer and are they the same size?
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Different printer and different size. The data needs to be the same from the database. The user selects the record at time of print. I'd like that record to print on both these labels/paper. One is a sticky label, the other is an 8.5x11 to the office printer.
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Hi, I have recently done this myself for a customer using process builder, as a start point I followed the introduction to process builder on the below, the second section from about 24 minutes in covers printing 2 labels from input.
https://support.seagullscientific.com/hc/en-us/articles/360022771874-Introduction-to-Process-Builder
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That is a more problematic and will require a bit more configuration. It will also require the use of the Integration Builder application that needs either an Automation or Enterprise licence in order to run.
If there is a field on the label that already prints the database field that is used to perform the database lookup/filter then skip point 1 and start as 2. You will also need to create a folder where a file will be created at print time and also save a blank text document into the folder. I used Notepad to do this and called the file "workit.txt", but you can use whatever name seems appropriate to you.
- Add a text field that is populated by the database field that contains the lookup/filter value. Place/drag this field to the side of the template itself so that it is outside of the printed area.
- In the Properties and Data Sources tab of this field use the Change Data Source Name button (to the right of the Name box) and give this field a suitable name (I called mine TheChoice as per the first screenshot below). Then exit this field.
- As I often do for databased labels, I added a text input box onto the Data Entry Form and linked this input to the query prompt/filter set in the Database Configuration setup and also added a Preview of Template image too that will be populated with the live product data after the users have entered the lookup/filter value. You could add extra information/inputs on here too if you like such as a number box for the number of labels etc.
- Back in the Template view, click on the File menu and the BarTender Document Options and then Actions tab. Tick the enable box and press the Document Actions button.
- On the new screen click on the blue plus sign next to Data Entry Form Completed and then from the File option choose the Write to File action and configure it similar to as shown in the 2nd screenshot.
- Click OK and Ok to come out of those fields and save the label,
- Create your second label as required and link this to the database and in the filter section create a new database query prompt but call this the same name as you used in 2 above (3rd image).
- Save and then close the label.
- Open Integration Builder and start a new File Integration that looks for the folder you created at the start and the text you saved there too. All the other settings can stay the same other than changing the the After Detection option to Delete File
- Use the blue plus arrow next to Actions to add a Database>Transform to Record set action. Link this action to the text file you created and amend the other settings as shown in the image below. Drag this action above the Print Document settings. I received a warning about field names at this point but just clicked Ok to continue.
- Again from the Database action list add a For Each Database Record action. No configuration of this is required, other than dragging this above the Print Document option.
- Either delete the Print Document option and add a new Print Document option from the blue plus next to the For Each Database Record and the Print options or else drag the existing Print Document onto and right a bit of the For Each Database Record to make this a daughter process (please not the indentation shown in the image below)
- On the Print Document>Document screen adjust the settings to search the Computer/Network and browse to find your second label making sure to Import the Document settings which may take a few seconds to complete.
- You can adjust the basic printing settings from the Print Options screen as required, but next select the Query Prompts tab. This should display "TheChoice" or whatever name you chose in 2. above. Click into the box to the right of this and use the Insert Variable option and choose the CurrentRecord option which maybe on the Actions option I believe.
- That should now have completed the config, but I would suggest using the Test option from the top menu to make sure the system works before saving the integration file and then deploying it as live on your system.
I hope this helps.
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@Martin - I hadn't thought about Process Builder for this but I guess that is workable too.
I was working on a similar issue for a customer when this forum post was raised and so was killing two birds with one stone as it were. For my Customer's system the label printing is processed via Print Portal and not sure if you can run Process Builder routines via this route.
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