RTF files coming in double-spaced into Layout

stephenn

I am trying to do a work-around since I cannot export information from MS Access report information directly into Layout as an OLE Object.

My method is to export the report as RTF file then insert the RTF file into Layout. It loses some of the formatting that I could do before in another CAD program when I was OLE linking but it's ok.

However, when the RTF is inserted into Layout, it shows up double-spaced. I then goto Text --> Spacing --> Custom --> Fixed and enter an exact line spacing so that the report information fits within space available. Unfortunately, after doing that, the text loses its link to the original RTF document. Any future changes to the RTF document does not change the text within the Layout document.

See images below to see how the report changes line spacing. Any idea how I can either have the text come into layout single spaced as it is when I open in any text editor or how I can maintain the link to the original RTF after I change the line spacing?

PRINT PREVIEW OF REPORT IN ACCESS.

REPORT EXPORTED FROM ACCESS AS RTF DOCUMENT WHEN OPENED IN WORD.

RTF WHEN INSERTED INTO LAYOUT. NOTE THAT IT IS DOUBLE-SPACED.

Dave R

I frequently need to use RTF imports which initially start out as CSV files. I manipulate them mostly in Excel to get the rows and columns as I want them and then I copy and paste the table into Word. There I convert the table to tab separate text and save as RTF. I've never had any trouble with line spacing that way. Maybe you could try that.

FWIW, don't do any editing of the text box in LO or you lose the link to the RTF file. The only thing you can do in LO without breaking that link is resize the text box if needed.

Are you really using the free version of SU8 as your profile indicates?

stephenn

I just upgraded to 2014 Pro a month ago. Profile is updated now.

Dave R

Oh. So did you try what I suggested?

stephenn

I am working with over 50 different Layout files with 50 "linked" reports that come out of Access so I really need a method that is automatic. If I have to open each RTF file and manipulate every time I change something, the process becomes too inefficient to make sense.

When I export a text file out of Access or Excel, it comes into Layout single-spaced but the text is Arial 10 point font even though the original font is Courier New 8 point and the default font in Layout is Courier New 8 point.

I have a limited amount of space to place this exported information from Access so I need a single-spaced report in 6 or 8 point font size in a monospaced font to somewhat keep the tabular format of original report. So far, I am hitting walls.

Dave R

If you aren't going to be opening the RTF files to make changes to them anyway, there doesn't seem to be any point in inserting the text as RTF files from the beginning. You could just copy the text from Access and paste it into a text box in LO.

stephenn

I am trying to avoid having to touch the exported file whether it's RTF or TXT because I would have to do it every time I changed something in database. When I insert a text file into Layout, it defaults at Arial (not a monospaced font) 10 point & the columnar format of the original information is lost.

Thanks for all of your help. I am transitioning from using TurboCad which could OLE link directly to queries to using Sketchup/Layout. The benefits of Sketchup/Layout over TurboCad definitely outweigh this issue but it's frustrating nonetheless.

pbacot

So you are changing a database and are you, what, exporting text for each databse update and inserting again in LO?

Is there a way to create a pdf of your data? I often do this on the Mac using the print to pdf feature, built in to OSX. It creates a file whose name is based on the original (CAD or other) file--or I can click on the old pdf file name to replace it. LO can have reference to the pdf file.

stephenn

I have a database that has one record that corresponds to a structure in Sketchup file. I have over 50 different structures that have a corresponding Sketchup/Layout file. Each of those records has an inventory of furnishings associated with it. Creating a macro that runs on exit that re-exports all of the queries to text files is easy.

I am on a PC and we don't have the option to import PDFs or that would be the solution. I am not sure why you Mac users have that option but we do not.

Can I just say UUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! Ok, I feel better. Thank you.

This is what happens when I import the exported RTF into Layout. It's double-spaced but the font is sized and it has the columnar format I need.

This is how I need it to be spaced so that it fits within the small space I have available. However, after changing the spacing to a fixed number to achieve this, the file loses its link to original RTF file.

This is what happens when I insert a text file into Layout. It's Arial 10 point font no matter what default font is for Layout and I lose the columnar format.

pbacot

I mean from your database app. You can get a "print to pdf" utility, can't you? Actually any image file that LO can reference and your database can output. The image file sits in the folder with your database file and is the archival link. Nice thing is it updates with positioning, sizing, and cropping as originally set in LO.

(Mac has an "export" to pdf from SU that Windows doesn't, for some reason, but it also has print pdf options in every application through the print dialog. Actually pdf IS the way Mac outputs to printers,as far as I understand)

stephenn

Yes, Microsoft Access can definitely export the report as a PDF. However, the Windows version of Layout cannot import a PDF. Access cannot export a report or query as any type of image file (jpg, bmp, tif, etc.) that Layout recognizes.

I will just continue banging my head into roadblocks.

pbacot

Looks like you're working on some good solutions. They just haven't been resolved yet. Good luck!

stephenn

Thank you for all of your help and suggestions. With those suggestions, I think I have found a workaround to get it to work.

I already had PDFCreator on my computer and discovered that I can set it up so that it creates a jpg instead of a PDF like pbacot suggested. I also found VBA code so I can make a macro that will print all 50 (estimated) of the reports using PDF Creator and generate the JPGs of those reports. Then, the JPG of the report is linked into each respective Layout file.

A little sketchy way to do it but it seems to work. Woohoo! Thanks again for the help and counseling.

pbacot

Cool. A lot of files to deal with! Just be sure to SAVE the Access file each time, and don't mistake jpg creation as saving.

Box

I hate to throw another idea into the mix, especially as I don't have a specific way to do it in my head but,
Could you link the data file to an image in sketchup itself so you can use it in a viewport in Layout. There are various plugins that can make links to external files and there may be something that works better for you. God knows if it would be any use, but it was a thought.