ACC2000: Cannot Create a New Report Without a Default Printer

ID: Q208553

The information in this article applies to:
Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

This article applies to a Microsoft Access database (.mdb) and a Microsoft Access project (.adp).


SYMPTOMS

When you try to create a new report, you may receive one of the following error messages.

You may receive the following error message if you use the wizard to create a new report:

You must install a printer before you can create a report. To install a printer, point to Settings on the Windows Start menu, click Printers, and then double-click Add Printer. Follow the instructions in the Add Printer wizard. Click OK in this dialog after you have done this, and the report wizard will continue.
You receive the following error message if you click Cancel to the previous error message:
The wizard is unable to create your report.
You may receive the following error message if you open the new report directly in Design view:
You must install a printer before you design, print or preview.


CAUSE

You do not have a default printer installed.


RESOLUTION

Create or designate a default printer for Microsoft Windows.


MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

  1. Remove your Windows default printer definition.

    NOTE: Be sure you know what printer you are removing so that you can restore it later.


  2. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb.


  3. In the Database window, click Reports under Objects, and then click New.


  4. Select Auto Report: Tabular, and under Choose the table or query where the object's data comes from, click the Employees table. Click OK. Note that you receive the following error message:


    5. You must install a printer before you can create a report. To install a printer, point to Settings on the Windows Start menu, click Printers, and then double-click Add Printer. Follow the instructions in the Add Printer wizard. Click OK in this dialog after you have done this, and the report wizard will continue.
  5. Click Cancel. Note that you receive the following error message:


    6. The wizard is unable to create your report.


REFERENCES

For more information about the default printer, click Microsoft Access Help on the Help menu, type "set the default printer" in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Additional query words: prb 


Keywords          : kberrmsg kbdta RptOthr 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: May 13, 1999