PRB: Report Designer/Preview Needs VFP Desktop to Display

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows, version 5.0

SYMPTOMS

If REPORT FORM <formname> PREVIEW or MODIFY REPORT <formname> is called from an SDI or top-level form (form with the ShowWindow property set to 2), the Report Preview or Report Designer does not appear if the Visual FoxPro desktop is hidden.

WORKAROUND

Make the Visual FoxPro desktop visible (_SCREEN.Visible = .T.) and display the Report Designer or preview and hide the Visual FoxPro desktop (_SCREEN.Visible = .F.) after the Report Designer or Preview has been closed.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

The Page Preview and Report Designer windows are being created as a child window of the Visual FoxPro desktop. Since the desktop is not visible, the Page Preview and Report Designer windows cannot be visible. Each of these windows has toolbars that require the Visual FoxPro desktop in order for them to be displayed.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Run the following code from a program (.prg) file:

   * Start of code example * PUBLIC oform LOCAL lnI CLOSE ALL CREATE TABLE table_1 (field1 C(10)) FOR lnI=1 TO 3

         INSERT INTO table_1 VALUES ('xx')
   

   ENDFOR

   CREATE REPORT report_1 FROM table_1

   oform=CREATEOBJECT("SDI_form") oform.SHOW() READ EVENTS CLOSE TABLES

   DEFINE CLASS sdi_form AS FORM

         SHOWWINDOW = 2
         AUTOCENTER = .T.
         lIsFormUp=.F.
   

         ADD OBJECT commandpreview AS COMMANDBUTTON WITH ;
            TOP = 180, ;
            LEFT = 80, ;
            HEIGHT = 27, ;
            WIDTH = 95, ;
            CAPTION = "Report Preview", ;
            NAME = "Commandpreview"
   
         ADD OBJECT commanddesign AS COMMANDBUTTON WITH ;
            TOP = 180, ;
            LEFT = 202, ;
            HEIGHT = 27, ;
            WIDTH = 95, ;
            CAPTION = "Modify Report", ;
            NAME = "Commanddesign"
   
         PROCEDURE DESTROY
            CLEAR EVENTS
            _SCREEN.VISIBLE=.T.
         ENDPROC
   
         PROCEDURE ACTIVATE
            IF !THIS.lisformup
               _SCREEN.VISIBLE = .F.   && We wait till now to hide desktop
                                       && to ensure SDI form is active window
               THIS.lIsFormUp = .T.
            ENDIF
         ENDPROC
   
         PROCEDURE commandpreview.CLICK
            REPORT FORM report_1 PREVIEW
         ENDPROC
   
         PROCEDURE commanddesign.CLICK
            MODIFY REPORT report_1
         ENDPROC
   
      ENDDEFINE
      *
      * End of code example
   
   

2. Click on either command button. The preview or Report Designer does not appear.

   NOTE: You may need to double-click the [-] or fox head in the upper left corner to close the form after doing this.

How to Get It Working

1. Modify the Click procedure code for the two command buttons above to read as follows:

   * Start of code example * PROCEDURE commandpreview.CLICK

         _SCREEN.VISIBLE = .T.           && Show VFP desktop
         KEYBOARD '{ctrl+f10}' CLEAR     && Maximixe Preview window
         REPORT FORM report_1 PREVIEW
         _SCREEN.VISIBLE = .F.           && Hide VFP desktop
      ENDPROC
   
      PROCEDURE commanddesign.CLICK
         LOCAL lcOldShutDown
         lcOldShutDown = ON('shutdown')  && Saves existing ON SHUTDOWN
         ON SHUTDOWN _SCREEN.VISIBLE=.F. && Traps for closing desktop
         _SCREEN.VISIBLE = .T.           && Show VFP desktop
         KEYBOARD '{ctrl+f10}' CLEAR     && Maximixe Designer window
         MODIFY REPORT report_1
         _SCREEN.VISIBLE = .F.           && Hide VFP desktop
         ON SHUTDOWN &lcOldShutDown      && Restores existing ON SHUTDOWN
      ENDPROC
      *
      * End of code example
   
   

2. Click on either command button. The preview or Report Designer appears. When the preview or Report Designer is closed, the desktop is again hidden and the SDI form regains the focus.