How to print multiple .doc files at the same time? (2002)

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I would like to select multiple documents, choose printer driver and print them all together. I tries to use the Windows Explorer to select multiple documents and use File/Print to print them. Unfortunately, it printed with the default printer without giving me the printer choice option.

System: WinXP+OfficeXP

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You might want to change your default printer first, and then use the Explorer method, and then change it back. That probably would be the most reliable, if Word was not already open and accustomed to printing on a different printer. In that case, one probably would need to write a little program to open each file, show the print dialog so you could change the printer, print, and close the document. Rather more repetitive and distracting than the first method…

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I second Jefferson’s suggestion of a small program. Something to be wary of is the number of files you print from Explorer. You can end up with a program freeze because Windows opens a separate winword.exe (not just a separate Word window).

In fact if you search the VBA forum, I think the code for the “little program” already exists there.

Happy hunting!

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Hi Dennis:

Another thing that you can do:
1. Put shortcuts to your alternate printers on your desktop & then drag multiple files to the shortcut.
2. Put shortcuts to your alternate printers in Windows/SendTo folder. Then you can select multiple files in Explorer & use SendTo to print them.

Note: I noticed that when I did the latter, two things happened. First, I had to confirm that I wanted to print more than one file (I love how Microsoft always wants to make sure you want to do something before it let’s you). Secondly, Word closed & reopened between each document. I’m not sure if there’s a setting to change that in Windows. Possibly changing the DDE command?

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Phil,

I did follow your instruction to try the 1st method. It worked fine for regular printer. However, it did not work for fax driver. It printed only one file at a time. I know it might be something to do with my fax software.

Thanks,

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