Colin,

>How would I do something like the following:
>
>An option screen shows 5 checkboxes for each column in a report. The user can choose any combination of the 5 and the columns must print beside each other.
>
>i.e
>User chooses Columns 1, 2 and 5. I should print
>Column1 Column2 Column5
>
>User chooses Columns 2, 4 and 5. I should print
>Column2 Column4 Column5
>
>User chooses Columns 1, 2, 4 and 5. I should print
>Column1 Column2 Column4 Column5
>
>I am using Crystal Reports7. TIA

The most constructive solution I know of, I using the RDC automation server in combination with the smartviewer control, though I'm not quite certain if it would be possible with the normal automation server. Here is how I would do it.

Develop the report with the 5 columns, so default, all columns are displayed. Make five boolean parameterfields; one for each colomn. For each colomn object (field and heading I suppose) display the format editor and click the pencil to the right of the supress checkbox on the common tab. Fill in the corresponding parameterfield.

You can save the report

In runtime you can open the report with and pass the parameters with the paramterfielddefinitions object. Within the RDC automation server you can easely change the x position of each object within the report so you can eliminate the gaps if some columns are not displayed. Then asign the report to the AcxtiveX control and display the report. If you only want to print, you don't need the activeX and print inmidiately from within the automationserver

Some code to get you started:

x=createobject("CrystalRuntime.application") && start the RDC automation server
oRep=x.openreport(cReport,1)

* you need some code to pass the parameters through
* you need some code to change the column x-pos.

THISFORM.Rep=oRep
THISFORM.CrViewer.ReportSource=orep
THISFORM.CrViewer.Viewreport()

or you want to print it out directly

oRep.printout

For more help, set the developers help (or just ask).

Walter,