ACC: You Cannot Create a New Report Without a Default Printer

• Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you try to create a new report, you may receive one of the following error messages.

You may receive the following error message if you use the wizard to create a new report:

   You must set up a default printer before you can create a report. You
   can do this now using the Windows 95 Start menu or the Windows NT Print
   Manager. Click OK in this dialog after you have done this, and the
   wizard will continue.

   You must set a default printer before you design, print or preview. For
   information on setting a default printer, search the Microsoft Windows
   online index for 'default printer, setting.'

CAUSE

You do not have a default printer installed.

NOTE: In Microsoft Access version 2.0, you can create a new report without having a default printer installed, but you cannot view the report in Print Preview. In Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97, you cannot create a new report without first setting up a default printer.

RESOLUTION

Create or designate a default printer Microsoft Windows.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Remove your Windows 95 or Windows NT default printer definition.

   NOTE: Be sure you know what printer you are removing so you can restore it later.

2. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.

3. Click the Reports tab, and then click New.

4. Select the Auto Report: Tabular Wizard, and under "Choose the table or query where the object's data comes from," click the Employees table. Note that you receive the following error message:

         You must set up a default printer before you can create a report.
         You can do this now using the Windows 95 Start menu or the Windows
         NT Print Manager. Click OK in this dialog after you have done this,
         and the wizard will continue.
   

REFERENCES