Scheduling a MS Word document to print

[DayLaborer]

Know how you can right-click on a MS Word file and choose "Print" from the context menu and Windows quickly opens Word, prints the document, then closes Word? Is it possible to schedule a task through Windows (XP Pro) to do exactly that, for let's say this document:
[tt]C:\PrintMeEveryMorning.doc[/tt]

Thanks,
Eliezer

 

[SPV]

You will have to start with a Scheduled Task. This means you will need to be able to perform the required tasks (launch Word, open doc, print doc, close doc, close Word) from the command line.

I was going to suggest that you look at the command line options Windows uses when you right-click and choose Print. But that uses DDE which I don't understand (perhaps someone else does and could suggest a solution based on that).

So instead I would approach it by writing a small macro which opens the document, prints it using the default printer, closes it (without saving) and closes Word.

Your scheduled task can then call Word using the /mmacro_name switch to launch Word and run the macro you wrote. See

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/210565

for more info on the command line switches for the various versions of Word.

Please note that I have never tried this - it's just my initial idea for a possible solution. Good luck.

 

[linney]

Print Files from Batch Files

http://www.robvanderwoude.com/printfiles.php

This thread might be worth reading for a later time too.
Thread779-581142

 

[DayLaborer]

I hate to sound stupid, but...
DUH...
After reading and visiting those links, I still cannot figure out how to do this...

Any compassionate people who can give me remedial assistance on this?

Thanks,
Eliezer

 

[DayLaborer]

I would think there would be some sort of switch command to open an MS Word file to print, but I cannot find one. Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks,
Eliezer

 

[linney]

Do applications like these allow you to create your own batch file?

AutoIt-- Freeware:

http://www.autoitscript.com/autoit3/

AutoHotkey

http://www.autohotkey.com

 

[jkl0]

Using the file printdoc_vbs.txt from linney's post

http://www.robvanderwoude.com/printfiles.php

Rename the file printdoc.vbs

You can test with the "Run" command:

(path to file)\printdoc.vbs (path to file)\WordDoc.doc

You can but the above command in a batch file (.bat) or commmand file (.cmd)