Tips for compelling a website to initiate the printing process

Question

Tips for compelling a website to initiate the printing process

I have a unique situation with my web application. It collects data and stores it in a database at regular intervals, with the screen showing the most recently added information using AJAX to refresh. I also need to automatically create a printout whenever new data is added to the database. While I currently have a print button that triggers the print dialogue box and uses a different style sheet for a "print view," I want to eliminate the need for user interaction. Is there a way to automate the printing process so that the page prints directly to the default printer without requiring manual input?

Update: I am aware of the window.print(); function to bring up the print dialog box, but I am looking for a solution that eliminates all human intervention and sends the printout directly to the printer from the website itself based on the new data. From the feedback received, it appears this functionality cannot be achieved solely through a web browser.

javascript jquery html css printing

Answer 1

Answer №1

One possible solution is to develop a standalone application with an embedded web browser component to handle the printing task. Trying to achieve this directly in a standard web browser is not feasible due to the potential security risks and implications involved.

Answer 2

One possible solution is to develop a standalone application with an embedded web browser component to handle the printing task. Trying to achieve this directly in a standard web browser is not feasible due to the potential security risks and implications involved.

Answer 3

Answer №2

The browser takes care of the print feature which varies between different browsers, it is accessible through JavaScript but cannot be triggered forcefully

(Use this JavaScript code to execute the print function within the browser)

<script language="Javascript1.2">
  <!--
  function printing() {
  window.print();
  }
  //-->
</script>

Answer 4

The browser takes care of the print feature which varies between different browsers, it is accessible through JavaScript but cannot be triggered forcefully

(Use this JavaScript code to execute the print function within the browser)

<script language="Javascript1.2">
  <!--
  function printing() {
  window.print();
  }
  //-->
</script>

Answer 5

Answer №3

To trigger the print dialog through JavaScript, you can utilize the window.print() function and incorporate it within your ajax call. As for automating the click action, I am uncertain of the method.

Answer 6

To trigger the print dialog through JavaScript, you can utilize the window.print() function and incorporate it within your ajax call. As for automating the click action, I am uncertain of the method.

Answer 7

Answer №4

If you're looking for a solution similar to this question, check out How do I create a web based print server?

Our approach involved creating a native print client. For more information, visit .

Answer 8

If you're looking for a solution similar to this question, check out How do I create a web based print server?

Our approach involved creating a native print client. For more information, visit .

Answer 9

Answer №5

It has been noted by others that completing the print task within a web browser dialog window without human intervention or macros to control the mouse is not really feasible.

Instead of relying on the browser for printing, my suggestion would be to have your ajax requests initiate a process that saves the data to be printed into a file (consider using wkhtmltopdf). Then, have your web server (whether it's Linux, OSX, or Windows Server) monitor a designated folder and automatically print (and delete) any files that appear in that folder. In OSX, this can be easily achieved with Automator. For Linux, you could create a bash script that uses cron to periodically check the folder and use the lpr program to send files to the printer. As for Windows... I'm not entirely sure, but I vaguely recall there being an option for a folder acting as a print queue in older versions of Windows within the printer's settings. Don't quote me on that though!

Answer 10

It has been noted by others that completing the print task within a web browser dialog window without human intervention or macros to control the mouse is not really feasible.

Instead of relying on the browser for printing, my suggestion would be to have your ajax requests initiate a process that saves the data to be printed into a file (consider using wkhtmltopdf). Then, have your web server (whether it's Linux, OSX, or Windows Server) monitor a designated folder and automatically print (and delete) any files that appear in that folder. In OSX, this can be easily achieved with Automator. For Linux, you could create a bash script that uses cron to periodically check the folder and use the lpr program to send files to the printer. As for Windows... I'm not entirely sure, but I vaguely recall there being an option for a folder acting as a print queue in older versions of Windows within the printer's settings. Don't quote me on that though!

Tips for compelling a website to initiate the printing process

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

Answer №4

Answer №5

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