Print Variable Frame

Home

4D v16.3

4D Design Reference

Properties for active objects

Print Variable Frame

Principles

The Print Variable Frame option is available for the following objects:

Picture type fields and variables,
Text type fields and variables,
4D Write Pro areas (option described in the Using a 4D Write Pro area section of the 4D Write Pro Reference manual).

This option is found in the "Print" theme of the Property List:

It is also available using the OBJECT SET PRINT VARIABLE FRAME and OBJECT GET PRINT VARIABLE FRAME commands.

Note: Subforms have a similar option. For more information about this, refer to "Subform Printing" in the List subforms section.

This property handles the print mode for objects whose size can vary from one record to another depending on their contents. These objects can be set to print with either a fixed or variable frame. Fixed frame objects print within the confines of the object as it was created on the form. Variable frame objects expand during printing to include the entire contents of the object.

Note that the width of objects printed as a variable size is not affected by this option (defined by the object properties); only the height varies automatically based on the contents of the object.

You cannot place more than one variable frame object side-by-side on a form. You can place non-variable frame objects on either side of an object that will be printed with a variable size provided that the variable frame object is at least one line longer than the object beside it and that all objects are aligned on the top. If this condition is not respected, the contents of the other fields will be repeated for every horizontal slice of the variable frame object.

In the context of output forms, you can only place variable size objects in Detail areas.

Note: The Print object and Print form commands do not support this option.

Pictures

Pictures can be printed with either fixed or variable frames if their display format allows it. Only the following display formats allow printing with variable frames:

Truncated (Centered)
On Background
Truncated (Non-centered)

For more information about these picture formats, refer to Display formats.

If you check the Print Variable Frame option, the picture will be printed at a height that takes its size into account. The picture frame will be extended during printing if necessary in order to display the entire picture.
If you do not check this option, the picture will be printed at a fixed height (set in the form).

Text

If you check the Print Variable Frame option, the text will be printed at a height that takes its size into account. The text field will be extended automatically during printing so that all the text it contains will be printed.
If you do not check this option, the text will be printed at a fixed height (set in the form).