Printing Tables in Validation Effort

[SteelersFan]

I am going to execute a lengthy validation protocol that I wrote for my company this Friday. The protocol involves printing out the 'before' tables and then running append queries to transfer the records to the new database tables. A compare will be from the electronic records in the new tables to the paper printouts. Everything will remain Access 97SR2.

Question: Printing out the tables is not an activity that I look forward to. Their are 70 columns and some of the data types are memo fields so getting everything to fit to view is going to be hairy. Also, Access 97 does not allow you to apply a custom header so I am going to be left hand writing in Protocol Number, Section Number, Step Number on each page.

Is there a better way to get this information to paper?


Help!

Davae

 

[llkhoutx]

Why now export all the tables to be validated to an external database.

They following protocal procedures, compare the exported tables to the current tabes.

Let the computer do your validation.

Just a suggestion. It's never to late to keep from doing the wrong thing.

What do you mean by

custom header

Access is very flexible is gnerating headers.

 

[SteelersFan]

I would like to be able to go to the data tables and add

Protocol Number 123.456
Section Number, 12.3.4
Step Number 15

for example.

For the transfer we will manually check

1) First and Last 10 Records
2) Random 10 in the middle.

There is a better way to do this, I realize. QA wants a manual check....

 

[SteelersFan]

you can't add this information w/ Access 97 to the header/footer.

 

[SteelersFan]

comeon.

Some one help me with this.

pleeese.


I want to :

1) Go to tables tab,
2) Open table in data mode (see records)
3) print without obscuring data
4) apply header info relevent to protocol.

 

[llkhoutx]

Put that information on a form (in fields) and then reference the appropriate form fields in your report header/footer as appropriate.

 

[SteelersFan]

There are 70 fields so it will look pretty bad, I think doing that. Also, this introduces a form/per table so makes things more complex.

I have a screen capture tool called 'snag-it' that claims to do BOTH vertical and horizontal screen caps but it didn't work - did the vertical and then stopped. Snag-it lets you add text to the caps also... Would have been an 'ok' solution, if it worked.

Is a manual check assanine?

 

[llkhoutx]

Use function calls as the controlsource for each of the various headings and come with the appropriate algorithm to set the values.

What you're doing isn't that difficult.

 

[SteelersFan]

As a access newbie, can you provide a little more detail on the function calls and algorithim piece.

Thanks.

 

[llkhoutx]

The controls on your report are generally textboxes, each of which has a "controlsource" property which defines where the value for that textbox comes from. Each such controlsource is generally a field in a table or a query. However, it can be the value returned from a function.

The following controlsource value

"=XYZFunction()"

without the quotaion marks calls function XYZFunction for the value of the instant textbox.

Create the function in a Module as follows:

Public Function XYZFunction()
XYZFunction = 2 * 3 * 4
end function

24 will be displayed in the filed who's controlsource is "=XYZFunction()" (without the quotation marks).

A textbox's controlsource can be set in the the repors design view by right clicking the textcox and selecting "Property" from the droplist. Then in the propertylist that is displayed, modify the controlsource appropriately.

 

[Pat Hartman]

Is there a better way to get this information to paper?

Yes, build a report. You can size the fields appropriately, use multiple lines per record if necessary, and set the control for the memo field to grow so that all data is printed. You will also be able to add headers and footers.

 

[llkhoutx]

I hope that you don't end up with 50 feet of paper. Been there, done that.

Validtaion has got to be automated or significant errors will be missed.

 

[Pat Hartman]

I agree with you about the automation, I was just answering the actual question which no one else seemed to address.