Access - mailing labels

[Bruceakabatman]

I was trying to accomplish a fairly simple task, one that I used to do frequently in Access but it has been several years (and versions) since I did this. I tried creating some mailing labels using "Create", "Labels".   The first error message is "There is not enough horizontal space  on the page for the number of columns and columns spacing. (I had first and last name on line 1, address on line 2 and city, state and zip on line 3 - Avery labels 5260) Next error message was "enter Parameter value" and below it it said Trim.  No idea what this means. 

[#2]

@Bruceakabatman 

Page margins refers to the blank spaces around the edge of a page. The width of that blank space, or margin, is set in the report properties. I assume you are trying to print to a standard 8.5 x 11 inch page of labels, or the equivalent A4 size page, which is 210 x 297 mm, or 8.268 x 11.693 inches.

The width of the page, minus the width of the left margin and the width of the right margin, is the space available for printing your labels. With labels, there can also be a small space between them on the page, so depending on the number of columns, you have to account for that as well.

In short, you need to adjust the margins specified for your labels report to fit the width of the page, less the width of the labels (2 or 3 depending on which layout you have) less the various margins.

The second problem regarding the parameter value is probably due to a criteria in the query which returns the records to be printed on the labels. It could be a problem with inaccurate syntax or it could be a reference to a control on a form. Therefore, we'd have to see that query, or more exactly, the SQL in that query, to know how to advise on that. 

Trim is used to remove leading and trailing spaces in text strings. That's important in labels which tend to have restricted amount of room for printing.

[#3]

@George_Hepworth I appreciate your response. Why would I need to do anything with the margin when I selected a standard label from Avery.  I don't recall having to make margin adjustments in the past. Where do I go to make the adjustments? As for the second error, again it is the way i always did them in the past.  How do I show you the criteria? 

[#4]

BTW - I'm definitely going to take your on-line course. I was excited to find it. So much has changed in Access since I used it last, it is like I am using a brand new program.

[#5]

@Bruceakabatman 

We really can't just count on printers and reports, including the labels, to be universally the same; sometimes adjustments are needed. 

Here's where you can find the Page Setup options:

Here's how to copy the SQL.

I made a screenshot for illustration, but it's better to copy and paste the actual SQL.

Thanks for the kind words.

[#6]

@George_Hepworth I appreciate you trying to assist me. I am in deep trouble with my wife.  My only job was to print the labels for the Christmas letter and thus far, I have failed miserably.  Anyhow, I can't seem to match up your screen shots with my system.  I must have a different version. 

[#7]

I don't know where you are finding the Page Setup. (I'm obviously a real novice with this.)

[#8]

@Bruceakabatman 

First open the report in Design View. 

The ribbon will update to show the related tabs, including Print Setup.

Your screenshot shows an empty query, not the report's recordsource. Use the three little dots at the right end of the recordsource property to open that SQL.

[#9]

@George_Hepworth 

I don't see Print Setup nor do I see three little dots. In the time I have fiddled with this, I could have handwritten every envelope and as I don't have the time to take your courses and figure out what is going on, I think that is what I need to do and scrap trying to print labels this year. Thanks for your assistance. You have been very generous with your time. This used to be so simple for me but I am totally lost now. 

[#10]

Ah, yes. You have to Open the form's Property sheet to get to the data property and other property tabs. I also see in the screen shot, that I used the wrong term; it's Page Setup, not Printer Setup in your ribbon.