Directing docs to a specific printer

[FrauW]

Hi all,
Is there a way to set a specific program to always go to a specific printer? My users have 3 different printer configurations. They have 2 configurations for 1 printer (top drawer, bottom drawer) and then one where they print two-sided documents. They want to set it up so that they can preset what documents go to what printer instead of having to change it in the drop down box.
I know that one can have a default printer and when one wants to print somewhere else, one must manually change the printer so the documents go somewhere else. Also on this theme, is there a way to say 'when I print from Excel use printer A, when I print from Word use printer B'?
All tips are welcome :-D

 

[pweegar]

To my knowledge, no there is no way to do what you want. I *BELIEVE* that you also have to have a default printer. ANd the only way to redirect a document is thru the choose printer dialog box when you print a document.

 

[Smallboy3uk]

could you not install the 3 printers and create a macro button for each printer on the toolbar? this isnt a strong area for me but i am sure it should be possible, then just a matter of clicking on the button for the printer you want to print to.

possibly...



Regards

Si.

Win2k MCP

 

[FrauW]

Good thoughts. Smallboy3uk ... can you elaborate on the Makro thing? I know you said that you don't really know how to go about it but I have never heard of that. Just from context, I think you mean to create a functional button that should be included as part of the user menu. The functionality of this button is to print to this specific printer when the user clicks on it. Do I understand you correctly? :-*

 

[Smallboy3uk]

that s about the size of it, unfortunately my expertise is with operating systems and lans. you may need to post a thread asking for help with the button.


Regards

Si.

Win2k MCP

 

[bcastner]

You use the command line facility of rundll32 to specify .bat or .cmd files that you place on the desktop, or you place shortcuts to these files on the desktop.

Reference:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;189105

*** example printer.bat
rem Add the printer to the user workstation
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /n \\print_server\printername

rem Now define it as the default printer (the '/y' switch)
rundll32 printui.dll,PrintUIEntry /in /n \\print_server\printername /y

***** end printer.bat example

 

[FrauW]

Hi,
Thanks for the input. The users actually have connections to all printers and one of them is set as the default. However, they claim that when they were using NT 4.0/Novell interface, they could set up a program to print directly to a specific printer; furthermore, this feature seemed to be linked to the user profile so each user could set Word/Excel to print to whatever printer they wanted and then that would remain specific to this user. I don't know much about NT so I cannot elaborate. However, they really want to have this feature again.
More ideas?

Thanks ;-)