One Document-Two Templates Each With Different Print Quantities
I need some Bartender guru to please give me a hand with this. I have an Access database connected to Bartender 10.0 (trial).
I have one main document with two templates. The only difference between the two templates is one has a barcode (code 39) with the "full pallet quantity" nested into it and the other has "partial pallet qty" nested. These two variables also have a separate field on each template.
The other fields on each template are the same and include the item number, description,etc.
Each line item in the database will always have quantities of "full pallets" and may or may not have a label that references a "partial pallet quantity"
I can't figure out how to override or set up and print the quantities from the database. It works fine if I have just one template active but when both are active I get the same quantity for both templates regardless of the database field it should be referencing.
I need know what function, procedure or script that will look at each quantity field (full and partial) and output the correct label combination.
It certainly seem like Bartender should be able to handle this and I can't think I'm the only one that has, at least at first, stumbled on this part of the application.
Thanks
Len
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Unfortunately the print quantity sourced from a database record, or anywhere for that matter, will apply equally to all templates. Perhaps if you test the v10.1 Trial edition you could use the extended conditional printing function on selected templates to suppress the printing of additional copies as needed based on a data source/field value.
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I'm surprised by this. There are plenty of options for when to print between multiple templates but the copies or number of copies seems to go hand in hand with that. If a document required more than one template to begin with, it stands to reason that there would also be the need for different data fields and different output .
I was thinking there should an expression/function that would look at one database field for one template and print that quantity and then look at the next or other database field for the quantity of the other template and print that quantity. It would then go to the next record. It's a two step loop for each record.
There really isn't any way of doing this? Is Bartender or perhaps my way of going about it? I hate to give up yet.
Thanks for the reply. Looking forward to other ideas.
Len
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I've asked this question a couple of different ways and although I did get one response from a Bartender administrator, I just can't believe that there isn't a way to print specific quantities of two templates based on two separate database fields in the same record.
The attached file is from my Access 2003 database. The query was designed specifically for barcode labels using existing information and formatting it to be used on label fields. It represents one record from a typical receipt. The first two line items have only full pallets but on the same receipt there are two items that have both full pallets and one partial pallet (it will always be one partial for any given line item).
I have no trouble formatting a Bartender label to automatically print the correct amount of labels for either the full pallet quantity field or the partial pallet field but I'm amazed that there isn't a loop function that can analyze two fields and print accordingly.
I guess at this point I'm glad I didn't purchase the product before finding this out. If there is anyone that can give me a hand I'd really like to know.
Thanks
Len
[attachment=796:Receipt Example-Full and Partial pallets.xls]
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I think the easiest way to tackle this is for your Access database to control BarTender via automation. That is to programmatically control a BarTender process to set the data that you want from Access onto the label design directly and then print. In this way the two types of label can be printed as consecutive print jobs either as separate documents, or as separate templates with the template wanted being selected via the template selector.
I'm sorry that the current functionality doesn't quite cover your particular requirements, but this particular functionality in BarTender is in the process of evolving with each new version, and quite probably in the future we'll be able to better handle this particular use case.
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Thanks for the quick reply. I'll look into your suggestions.
Len
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Same issue here with wanting to print different quantities of templates within a document. However, I want that quantity defined in the data entry form. IOW, I have 6 templates and the user is going to tell me how many they require of each. The data entry form just has 6 different number boxes that are tied to named data sources. Those data sources get set by the user and decrement.
Each template is also tied to a Global Data Field that will increment the IDs on the barcode. Ultimately I want to use print station and skip right to the user form.
I successfully got this to work by using the templates "Print When: [namedDataSource] > 0". So I just put the quantity of labels at like 1000 (more labels than would every be printed at one time) and then the data entry form comes up. It works fine and does print the specified quantity of each template, some of the 6 template might be zero too.
HOWEVER, it updates every Global Data Field by 1000!!!! Damn... so close... yet so far away.
This would be a great thing to fix. Basically allow each template to have a quantity.
Back to trying to get this to work in a Batch or ...... write code :(.
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adamh16: "This would be a great thing to fix. Basically allow each template to have a quantity." I'll write up a feature request for our development team to work on.
BTW: Have you tried using Batch Maker in combination with Print Station? Perhaps that might get you closer to your goal...?
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adamh16: The feature request reference is REQ-1033.
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I have a similar problem. I have three templates in one .btw file and need to print each with different quantities. Is there a way to this now? I am using Enterprise Automation version 10.1 SR4.
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mi.charris: Not directly, although I guess you can kludge it by using the templates in a template selector, and then manipulate a data source to either print or not print a template per go around. Event that approach will have limitations. Perhaps you're better off to use different documents and do batch printing.
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Thank you Ian. The quantities are based on different database field.
BarTender Document: Product Labels
Templates/Quantity Database Field: 1.) Product / ProductLabel.qtyToPrint 2.) LineNotes / ProductLabel.qtyLnToPrint 3. Paint / ProductLabel.qtyPaintToPrint.
I've tried separating the 3 templates into different BarTender Documents and using one Commander with 3 separate tasks (1 task per document). It prints the right quantity but then the data do not match where it is supposed to be.
For example. In the Paint Label, the top part of the label should say customer name, but instead show line notes which is supposed to show in the Line Notes label.
Can 2 commander run at the same time? I attached a pdf of screenshots of my issue. Please help :(
[attachment=2172:Print Quantity Issues.pdf]
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I know this is well past when this question was asked, but in case anyone else comes looking for a solution, the workaround I came up with was to make the "partial pallet" label an "end of group template" that prints out only if the named data source I scripted determines that there is a remainder quantity based on the total quantity of pieces and the quantity on a "full pallet". Since I only need it to print one partial pallet, this works for me.
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