ACC: Report OutputTo Text File Adds Random Blank Lines

• Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

When you use an OutputTo action or method to save a report to an MS-DOS Text (.txt) format, the text file adds blank lines randomly to the data.

NOTE: This behavior can also occur when you use the Save As/Export command to save a report to a text file using the Save Formatted option.

CAUSE

A text file does not have the same vertical spacing options as a report in Microsoft Access. When you output a report to a text file, the text file will contain 8 lines per inch. If the Height of the report's detail section is set for a different number of lines per inch, for example 6 lines per inch (.1667), then blank lines are added automatically.

RESOLUTION

You can avoid random blank lines when outputting a report to a text file by setting the Height property of a report's detail section to a value divisible by .125 inches. For example, if the detail section's Height property contains a fractional number, set the fractional portion of this property value to one of the following decimal equivalents:

   Fraction   Decimal Equivalent
   -----------------------------
   1\8        .125
   1\4        .25
   3\8        .375
   1\2        .5
   5\8        .625
   3\4        .75
   7\8        .875

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Create a new, blank report based on the Employees table in the sample database Northwind.mdb and open it in Design view.

2. Add a text box to the detail section and set the following properties:

         Label:
            Caption: LastName:
            Left: 1"
            Top: 0"
            Width: 1"
            Height: .1667"
   
         Text Box:
            ControlSource: LastName
            Left: 2"
            Top: 0"
            Width: 2"
            Height: .1667"
   
   

3. Select the detail section and set its Height property to .1667" (the same height as the LastName control).

4. Close and save the report as Report1.

5. Press CTRL+G to display the Debug Window.

6. Type the following line and press ENTER:

         DoCmd.OutputTo acReport, "Report1", acFormatTXT, "Report1.txt", True
   

   NOTE: When the Report1.txt file displays in a text editor, you will see several random blank lines in the data, for example:

         Last Name:        Davolio
         Last Name:        Fuller
   
         Last Name:        Leverling
         Last Name:        Peacock
         Last Name:        Buchanan
   
         Last Name:        Suyama
         Last Name:        King
         Last Name:        Callahan
   
         Last Name:        Dodsworth
   
   

REFERENCES