I would like to be able to print to a text file instead of a printer. You
know those websites were you can "print" a printer friendly version of an
article? Instead of printing to a printer, I would like to "print" to a text
file. Is there any software to help me do this? Thanks!
Boatman
Hi well yea, following only 24 steps to get there.
Just went through this. Microsoft hides This driver well. And I am assuming that you are a fellow Microsoft vic..., er, user.
I'm doing it again in Win7 as I write this, so some titles will vary.
The key is the Printer Port and realizing this thing is archaic when you install and use it.
And do read the footnotes. They explain Why you have to or should do it this way.
Create a file to print to.
Yes, It is strange and you will have to do this every time you use it. [1]
1. Open Explorer
2. Open Documents, or a root directory. In Win7 do not use the “Documents Library” Go to the C drive C:\Users\Your-Name\Documents\ <or> C:\ [2]
3. Other click to get the drop down menu.
4. Select “New”, then “ Text Document”
5. Rename it with “your-1-intended-name” like gtest.txt [3]
6. Copy the path and name. In Win7 other click on the path at the top of the Explorer window and select “Copy address as text”
7. Leave this window open.
8. If you are:............. Then:
---------------------------- --------------------------
Installing the driver .... Continue at “Install the printer driver”
Printing a file ............. Continue at Step 9.
---------------------------- --------------------------
9. If you see: ............................Then:
----------------------------------------- --------------------------
“
Could not open file” ..................Return to “Create a file...,”step six
......................................................and check the path and name.
.................................................You did create that empty text file?
“
The output file already exists” ..Continue at step 10.
------------------------------------------ --------------------------
10. You are on your way at last. Click [OK]
11. Go back to the directory window and move the file, or, open the file in Note Pad, Word Pad or your favorite editor, and save it where you really want it.
Install the printer driver
1. In the Control panel or Start select “Printers and Devices
2. Select "Add Printer" or click on the “Add Printer” icon.
3. In Choose a printer port. Select "Use an existing port"
4, In the drop down menu select "FILE: (Print to File)"
5. Click [Next]
6. In the Manufacturer Column, Select "Generic"
7. In the Printers Column, Select "Generic / Text Only"
8. Click [Next]
9. Give the printer a name, decide share/not share
10. Select "Print a Test Page.
11. If you see: .............................Then:
-------------------------------------------- --------------------------
“
Could not open file” .................... Return to “Create a file...,”step six
........................................................and check the path and name.
...................................................You did create that empty text file?
“
The output file already exists” ....Continue at step 12.
-------------------------------------------- --------------------------
12. You are on your way at last. Click [OK]
13. Go back to the directory window and open the file in Note Pad, Word Pad or your favorite editor
If it is the printer test file, it should look like this.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows Printer Test Page
Congratulations! If you can read this information, you have correctly installed your Generic / Text Only on [your computer name]. The information below describes your printer driver and port settings.
Submitted Time: 2:21:24 AM .12/.30/.2012
Computer name: [your computer name]
Printer name: Generic / Text Only
Printer model: Generic / Text Only
Color support: No
Port name(s): FILE:
Data format: RAW
Share name: Generic Text Only
Location:
Comment:
Driver name: UNIDRV.DLL Data file: ...
…
C:\windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\STDSCHMX.GDL
[4] [Recognize DOS 8.3 file and folder names? Too cheap to buy Unix or IBM, they are.]
This is the end of the printer test page.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] This driver is unchanged from “The Olden Days Of DOS”, eight bit processors, "If you teach some one BASIC, then you cannot teach them programming.", the GOTO statement and spaghetti code. It cannot create a file, only print over an existing file, and the print to window does not have a [Browse] or […] button.
[2] Otherwise you will have to remember or copy the entire path to the file you have created. It is easier for me to find the file and move it from the root C:\ directory to the one I want it in afterwards. The Win7 Libraries [Libraries\Documents] path will not be recognized because, this driver will use the full DOS path from root [C:\ or your logical drive for data]
[3] I still do not trust Windows and spaces in long names so I recommend inserting dashes-between-title-words.txt. If windows crashes, most recovery operations depend on good ole DOS 8.3 titles, so get something unique in that first 8 characters, if only title-1a-rest-of-title, otherwise you will be looking at a lot of “unique-1.txt, unique-2.txt file names. See [4] in the next to the last line of the printer test page if you don't believe me.