Is It Possible to Bring Up the Standard Print Dialog in Microsoft Office 2010 and Above?

The full-screen preview mode used by Office in versions 2010 and beyond is a feature added based on user telemetry and observational data collected by Microsoft. This feature was introduced to address the common issue of inaccurate printing. According to Microsoft's research, the typical user almost never printed what they wanted the first time accurately. By providing a preview, users can see exactly what will be printed, saving time, ink, paper, and reducing frustration.

Understanding the Full-Screen Preview Mode

The full-screen preview mode is an intentional design choice by Microsoft. It serves to enhance the user experience by providing a clearer view of the document to be printed. Users can adjust margins, page breaks, and print options before finalizing their printing process. While there isn't a direct way to substitute another dialog from within the application, there are alternative methods to achieve similar functionality.

Common Reasons for Seeking the Traditional Print Dialog

You might be asking about bringing up the traditional print dialog for several reasons:

Screen Real Estate: You might be using a smaller screen and need a more compact dialog. Automation: You may be using macros or programming to print and prefer a simpler interface. Personal Preference: You might simply dislike the look of the new functionality and prefer the traditional dialog.

To determine the best solution for your needs, let's explore some alternative options.

Alternatives to the Full-Screen Preview Mode

Using Macros or VBA for Print Automation

If you are using macros or programming to print, consider the following approaches:

Print Range Only: You can print a specific range of pages directly using VBA. Here is an example:

Sub PrintSpecificPages()     Copies:1, ActiveWindowZoom:False, _    PrintRange:wdPrintRangeOfPages, Pages:"1-5"End Sub

This VBA script allows you to print a specific range of pages, bypassing the need for a preview.

Reducing Screen Real Estate

If you are using a smaller screen, you can still use the full-screen preview mode but minimize its size. Here’s how:

Fullscreen Undocked: You can use the Fullscreen Undocked mode, which shows the preview in a smaller, docked window rather than a full-screen view.

To do this, follow these steps:

Open the document and click on the Review tab. Click on Print Preview. Click on the Fullscreen or Fullscreen Undocked button.

Conclusion

While the full-screen preview mode is designed to enhance the user experience by providing a more accurate preview of the print job, there are alternative methods to achieve similar functionality. Whether you are using macros, automating printing, or simply reducing screen real estate, you can still achieve efficient and accurate printing in Microsoft Office 2010 and above.

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