Generating Reports as PDF files

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a commonly used file format which allows documents and reports to be viewed exactly as intended on any recipient’s computer.

Because the PDF file format allows the report’s data to be compressed, it is usually smaller than other file formats (such as the RTF format which is the one used in Solar Writer’s own report viewer), and is therefore better suited for sending by email, where file size can be a significant issue.

PDF files also allow the astrological glyph fonts to be embedded within the document, and therefore it is guaranteed that the recipient will always see the correct chart glyphs in the report (which is not necessarily the case with RTF file format), even if they don’t own Solar Writer or related software themselves.

Solar Writer allows you to generate its reports in PDF file format, which may then be viewed or printed in Adobe Reader, or sent to a client for viewing or printing on their own computer.

If you do not already have Adobe Reader or other PDF viewing software on your computer, then visit http://www.adobe.com/ to download a copy onto your computer.

Note that PDF files are not editable, so once Solar Writer has generated the PDF report file, you are not able to edit its text or layout. If you need to edit the report’s final text or layout, then you should view the report in Solar Writer’s built-in report viewer, instead.

>> To generate a report as a PDF file and open it in your PDF viewing software

1.On the Main Window select the Report menu then View as PDF

This will generate the currently selected report for the currently selected chart as a PDF file, and then open your PDF viewing software (usually Adobe Reader) with the report displayed. You can then view or print the report as desired, from within the PDF viewing program.

>> To generate a report as a PDF file and send it as en email attachment

1.On the Main Window select the Report menu then Email PDF as Attachment

This will generate the currently selected report for the currently selected chart as a PDF file, and then open your default email program with the PDF file attached, ready to be addressed and sent to your intended recipient/s via your usual email program commands.

Note: On first opening Solar Writer if you select the "Report" menu, then "View as PDF" and "Email PDF as Attachment" will not be available as options in the "Report" menu. You will need to create or open at least one chart before these options can be used.

Note: In order to use this automated email option, you must have a MAPI compliant email program. All Microsoft email programs (e.g. Outlook and Outlook Express) and Eudora are MAPI compliant, for example. You may also need to ensure that the MAPI options are activated in some email programs, for example in Eudora Pro v3, you may need to go into the Tools / Options menu item, find the MAPI category, and ensure that “Use Eudora MAPI server” is switched to either “When Eudora is Running” or “Always”. If you are unsure about any of these options, you should consult the documentation of your email program (e.g. search for “MAPI”), or contact the manufacturer of your email program.