WD2000: How to Send Printer Escape Codes from a Document (211623)

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Method 1: Insert a PRINT field in your document that contains the printer escape codes.

For example: To insert a Print field, do the following:

1. On the Insert menu, click Field.
2. In the Categories list box, click Document Automation.
3. In the Field names list box, click to select Print.
4. Click OK.

Method 2: Type the printer escape sequence in your document and format it for a printer font.

For more information about the PRINT field, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type Field codes: PRINT field in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

There are limitations and drawbacks to both method 1 and method 2, depending on which printer driver you use. Neither method is guaranteed to work with every printer.

Limitations of the PRINT Field

When you insert a PRINT field, Word calls an escape in the printer driver that sends the printer instruction text to the printer. If the escape in the printer driver malfunctions, the PRINT field may produce incorrect or no results. NOTE: The PRINT field does not affect the page layout, because Word treats a PRINT field as a nonprinting character.

Limitations of Typing Printer Information Directly in Your Document

When you type printer information directly in your document, Word treats the escape sequence text as normal text. This means that Word incorporates the text in your document page layout.

When you print the document, the printer interprets the escape sequence text as printer instructions and does not print it. Your printer may misinterpret the escape sequence if Word does not send the entire string contiguously. For example, if you apply justified paragraph formatting, Word sends other characters to adjust the line length, thereby changing the escape sequence string.