Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Working with Multiple Printers.
You already know that Windows supports multiple printers. Using Word with multiple printers can be a bother, however, since you must display the printing options, change the printer, and then print the document. There is a way that you can have one-click printing of your documents on a designated printer. To do this, simply record a macro that changes the printer and then prints the document. The following is an example of a macro that will accomplish the task:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: 
Sub GoodPrinter()
Dim sCurrentPrinter As String
sCurrentPrinter = ActivePrinter
ActivePrinter = "HP LaserJet"
Application.PrintOut Range:=wdPrintAllDocument, _
Item:=wdPrintDocumentContent, Copies:=1
ActivePrinter = sCurrentPrinter
End Sub
The one thing to note with this macro is the line that sets the ActivePrintere. Change the line so it reflects, exactly, the name of the printer you want to use for your output. In this example, it is set to a printer named "HP LaserJet".
It should be noted that this macro was not actually recorded; it was written from scratch. The reason is so that the name of the printer in use could be stored in the sCurrentPrinter variable. When the printing is completed, the printer can then be set back to whatever printer it was before your macro changed it.
The trick is to create a macro for each of the printers you use. You can then put each of the macros on the Quick Access Toolbar so that each printer has its own print button. When you then click on the button, the appropriate macro is run and you get output on the desired printer.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (8560) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Working with Multiple Printers.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
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2016-07-12 10:07:40
l0ud
many thanks for the tip!
However I was unable to make it work for a network printer - the debugger kept telling me that the printer name I specify in the ActivePrinter line is incorrect. I tried typing it exactly the same as it appears in the printers list ('Model on Computername') and tried leaving out the 'on Computername' part, but it didn't work either way.
I solved the problem by reinstalling the network printer as a 'local printer' (i.e. local print queue) sending to a remote TCP/IP port. Works like a charm :)
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