Using Write to Determine Unprintable Regions (93049)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q93049

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Windows Write program, which ships with Windows, can be used to determine the unprintable regions (minimum margins) for any Windows printer driver. The unprintable regions of a page are regions that the printer cannot print to because of its design (that is, the print head or image drum) and/or its paper-handling mechanism (that is, the sheet feeder).

Note that the Write program has been replaced with WordPad in Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0.

MORE INFORMATION

The unprintable regions displayed by Write apply to all applications that use standard Windows printer drivers. Applications that include non-Windows printer drivers, such as WordPerfect for Windows, have different unprintable regions when non-Windows drivers are selected. Knowing the unprintable regions for a given printer driver is useful for troubleshooting and creating page layouts in programs such as Word for Windows and Microsoft Publisher.

Steps to Reproduce Problem

  1. Start Write.
  2. From the Document menu, choose Page Layout.
  3. In the Page Layout dialog box, type 0 (zero) for either the Left, Right, Top, or Bottom Margin.
  4. Choose the OK button. Windows then displays the following message: 
          Current printer cannot print outside these margins

      Left: 0.2"                           Right:  0.3"
      Top:  0.25"                          Bottom: 0.22"
    NOTE: the above margins are for the Okidata OL-400 laser printer. Other printer drivers have different margins.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:kbprint KB93049
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