Anthony Curreri: IT Solutions

The default quick print icon behavior in Word 2007 is to print to your default printer. Here is how to make an icon in the Word 2007’s Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) which prints directly to any printer you want. This is handy if you want an icon that prints to a different printer than the default, or you just want a quick print icon for each of your pinters.

To do this, we need to input a macro. To do that, we need the “Developer Tab”. Follow these steps to make the Developer Tab appear:

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button in the upper left, and then click Word Options.
2. Click Popular.
3. Under Top options for working with Word, select the Show Developer tab in the Ribbon check box.

The following creates the print macro.

1. Click the Developer Tab.
2. Click on the large Macros button on the left.
3. Type anything in the Macro Name box, for ex: “PrintFromFavoritePrinter”
4. Click the Create button.
5. Cut and paste the commands below, so that your window looks like this:

Sub PrintFromFavoritePrinter()
'
' PrintFromFavoritePrinter Macro
'
'
Dim sCurrentPrinter As String

sCurrentPrinter = ActivePrinter
ActivePrinter = "HP LaserJet 1020"
Application.PrintOut FileName:=""
ActivePrinter = sCurrentPrinter

End Sub

6. Replace the text: “HP LaserJet 1020″ with the exact name of your printer, from the Printers and Faxes section of your control panel.
7. Press ctrl+s to save, then close the window.

The macro has been created, you can run it out of the macros list, but what a pain! Create an icon on the Quick Access Toolbar.

1. Right-click anywhere on the QAT and click: “Customize Quick Access Toolbar…”
2. Select “Macros” from the “Choose commands from:” drop-down.
3. Click the “PrintFromFav…” macro on the left, then click the “Add>>” button.
4. Click the Modify button at the bottom, choose an icon and change the name to something short, then click OK.

The QAT now has the icon you selected. When you click on it, it should immediately print to your favorite printer!

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