What does Print to file mean?

[jman01pa]

I assume it lets you save the print data for later printing but how does it work? I have played around with it and cant do anything.

J http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[mgordon99]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think print to file in Microsoft Word means you can basically print (save) the file to a floppy or similar media. You can then take this file to any computer, and you can print it, even if the computer does not have Word installed.

Am I right?

[socalgal]

Hi jman

From Word 97 Help:

Print a document to a file

When you print to a file, you must first select the printer that will ultimately print the file. Word then saves the file in the appropriate printer language. That printer can be connected to any kind of computer, even if Word is not installed.

1 On the File menu, click Print.

2 In the Name box, click the printer with which you'll print the file.

3 Select the Print to file check box, and then click OK.

4 In the File name box, type a file name.

I hope that's what you were looking for. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif



[This message has been edited by socalgal (edited 04-01-2000).]

[happyhamster]

IIRC it creates a pretty big(greater than the document itself) executable file. In there it packs the document, printer drivers and who-knows-what-else. After that you can print that document just by launching the executable.

[Richard_Cranium72]

As a shutterbug I can see the application here. When doing photos, some are destined to my PhotoSmart Printer(Portraits) and others to the HP 712. When busy touching up photos, you can't run the printer at the same time, so you can save till later the special settings particular to each one photo, ie, glossy paper,, push the green,,B&W etc. DrVette

[OuTpaTienT]

I didn't know it'd make an executable file when you "print to file" from windoze.

I used to only have a printer at work so anything I wanted to print from home I could just print to a file, take the file to work, then copy the file to the printer. Don't even need windoze to do it. In DOS you can do:

copy /b [filename] prn