RTF files manipulation without using builtin controls

[misaw]

In our project we have rich text format (RTF) report template files with bookmark fields.

what we required is to read that file in background replace templates bookmark fields with DB field values (may be in iteration) and save this report file as .rtf but without using any rich* controls....

basically we are looking for a library or api already doing the same thing ... (since we follow the rule ... NEVER RE-INVENT THE WHEEL)

Any help would be appreciated... either by code example or by guided links on net

thanks in advance

[Killer42]

You could use automation to drive MS Word.

[misaw]

You could use automation to drive MS Word.

sorry to indicate that we also do not want to use MS word automation. since it is heavy to work with web application.

[Killer42]

I've had a quick glance via Google, and it looks as though there may be quite a few relevant links to software out there. I just searched on "VB RTF CONTROL API" and found tons of links, including...

http://www.vbaccelerator.com/codelib/richedit/richedit.htm

http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t280913-what-are-alternatives-to-vb-rich-text-box.html

http://www.xtremevbtalk.com/showthread.php?t=234789&goto=nextnewest

[misaw]

I've had a quick glance via Google, and it looks as though there may be quite a few relevant links to software out there. I just searched on "VB RTF CONTROL API" and found tons of links, including...

http://www.vbaccelerator.com/codelib/richedit/richedit.htm

http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t280913-what-are-alternatives-to-vb-rich-text-box.html

http://www.xtremevbtalk.com/showthre...oto=nextnewest

i appreciate your help

what if all the things would be done in background ... without using any UI control
correct me if i m wrong, i think all these using/required a UI control.

[Killer42]

i appreciate your help

You're being generous. :) I realise this hasn't been a lot of help.

what if all the things would be done in background ... without using any UI control
correct me if i m wrong, i think all these using/required a UI control.

I didn't read any of them in detail, but I thought some of them were just dealing with API calls. Besides, couldn't you just set the UI invisible? Or is this not feasible?

[misaw]

You're being generous. :) I realise this hasn't been a lot of help.

I didn't read any of them in detail, but I thought some of them were just dealing with API calls. Besides, couldn't you just set the UI invisible? Or is this not feasible?

Still looking a good API in VB6 for RTF

[Killer42]

Still looking a good API in VB6 for RTF

Are you sure you need one? If you just want to replace some space-holders with values, why not just do that in the raw text? Just like editing an HTML document in Notepad.

[Killer42]

Not sure whether this is one of the links I already sent. AscToRTF, while it does a lot of stuff that probably won't interest you, is available under a "source code licence" so you can pick it apart and do stuff with the source. This might be worth keeping in mind, as at least a possibility if you get really desperate.

I just read through this thread on another forum (don't let the Admins here find out!). It was a programmer who wanted to create an equivalent of the RichTextBox control from scratch. They were more or less talked out of it, but I think there's some pretty relevant information there. You might want to have a quick read. Also, they linked to a couple of points of interest...

• An implementation of the Microsoft RichEdit control directly from the API for more flexibility and control
• RTF entry on Wikipedia - you could build your own RTF parser.
  Which in turn pointed me to...
• RTF 1.9 specification at Microsoft.

[misaw]

Not sure whether this is one of the links I already sent. AscToRTF, while it does a lot of stuff that probably won't interest you, is available under a "source code licence" so you can pick it apart and do stuff with the source. This might be worth keeping in mind, as at least a possibility if you get really desperate.

I just read through this thread on another forum (don't let the Admins here find out!). It was a programmer who wanted to create an equivalent of the RichTextBox control from scratch. They were more or less talked out of it, but I think there's some pretty relevant information there. You might want to have a quick read. Also, they linked to a couple of points of interest...

• An implementation of the Microsoft RichEdit control directly from the API for more flexibility and control
• RTF entry on Wikipedia - you could build your own RTF parser.
  Which in turn pointed me to...
• RTF 1.9 specification at Microsoft.

Thanks i find them helpful
how strange helpful Killer2 :)

[Killer42]

Thanks i find them helpful
how strange helpful Killer2 :)

Well, killing's just a job, you know. Everyone needs a hobby.

By the way, let us know how this all turns out, huh?