Question

javascript: override window.print()?

Asked by: noblends

Here's what I need:

1) User opts to print a webpage (IE, FF, Safari)
2) I need to execute some Javascript code on my elements to clean things up a bit
3) User is presented with print dialogue box and page to print

How can I override the window.print() command to execute some Javascript before the page is rendered for printing?  Any answer that includes jQuery code is acceptable.

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Asked On
2009-07-06 at 12:58:50ID24547684
Tags

javascript

,

jquery

Topics

Miscellaneous Web Development

,

Scripting Languages

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
18

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Answers

 

by: eejonesPosted on 2009-07-06 at 13:22:27ID: 24788863

How does the user choose to print the contents of the window? Do you have a button and onClick() or onSubmit() JavaScript?

How are you changing the page content with JavaScript? Are you using document.write or innerHTML or something else?

If you could paste some code it would help to understand your task.

 

by: noblendsPosted on 2009-07-06 at 13:29:21ID: 24788925

The user prints the page either by a keyboard shortcut (ctrl+p) or through the browser's menu.  There are no "click this link to print" elements on my page.

With regards to changing the page using JS, there are a variety of things that need to be changed that only seem to with via JS, rather than a custom CSS print-only stylesheet.

For example, a page loads, then the majority of elements fade out.  If the user prints this page, the faded-out items do not render.  Using a CSS stylesheet (media="print") where all elements' opacity/visibility is set to 1/visible, will not make the elements render when printed.  It appears that I need to change the opacity of the elements before the page is actually rendered for print.

 

by: mplungjanPosted on 2009-07-06 at 17:17:13ID: 24790529

Not sure if all browsers support it, but I believe there is a window.onprint event. But why can't the print css set the opacity?

 

by: mplungjanPosted on 2009-07-07 at 00:13:52ID: 24792004

Ah

it was IE and it is
window.onbeforeprint=function() {
 // change opacity here
}

 

by: eejonesPosted on 2009-07-07 at 06:58:25ID: 24794254

Is it an option to let the user print in another way, by clicking a button on your page, which would allow you to fire off, onClick, some JavaScript statements and the print() function?


 

by: noblendsPosted on 2009-07-07 at 07:14:04ID: 24794391

mplungjan: window.onbeforeprint() is exactly what I need, however it has to work in FF and Safari.

eejones: there's no room (nor do I want to make room) for a print button on the page.



As for why a media="print" stylesheet doesn't work - I'm not entirely sure but I suspect it's partly because I load all my pages using AJAX and then use a substantial amount of JS to style them.

You can see http://gdad.sva.edu/#blog for an example.  FF is the worst printer - doesn't even capture the whole page.

 

by: noblendsPosted on 2009-08-25 at 07:18:28ID: 25177847

As far as I'm concerned, this cannot be done.

 

by: mplungjanPosted on 2009-08-25 at 07:27:46ID: 25177948

1. don't fade
2. use <link rel="alternate" media="print" href="printable.pdf" />

 

by: mplungjanPosted on 2009-09-24 at 00:39:59ID: 25410803

the answers have been given
1. for IE use onBeforePrint
2. For all browsers give an alternative url for the print

 

by: mplungjanPosted on 2009-09-24 at 04:45:50ID: 25412224

Accept http:#25177948
Alternatively try this (not tested):

function printAll() {
 var w = window.open('','newwin');
 w.document.write('<body onLoad="window.focus(); window.print()">'+document.body.innerHTML+'</body>')
 w.document.close();
 return false
}
window.print=printAll;

 

by: noblendsPosted on 2009-09-24 at 07:28:53ID: 25413685

That won't work because I don't have a Print button/link on the page.  Whatever javascript would be triggered (such as your window.open() method) would have to be triggered onPrint (so either when user presses ctrl+p or hits the print icon).  I've come to realize that this is simply not possible.

 

by: mplungjanPosted on 2009-09-24 at 08:20:59ID: 25414285

So that is the answer then - use link alternate to serve another page


 

by: noblendsPosted on 2009-09-25 at 11:57:13ID: 25426067

This question should have been terminated weeks ago when I answered it myself on 8/25.  I've tried closing it many times however I've been unable to do so.  The last response by mplugjan was an answer, however if one follows the thread one would see that it does not answer my question (see my comment on 9/24).  

With regards to the grade, I know you're just trying to do the right thing, and now that I see what "C" means I'm more than willing to change it.  So how do I do that and how can I put this question to rest?

 

by: mplungjanPosted on 2009-09-25 at 21:04:39ID: 25428769

Just one last comment. I repeatedly answered this. If the suggestions I gave you did not work for you, then the logical conclusion is that with your constraints the answer is : not possible.
That was the result already on the 25 of aug.
Thanks for reconsidering. It is not the points just the principle of not shooting the messenger or punishing the bearer of bad news

 

by: noblendsPosted on 2009-09-28 at 07:16:59ID: 31600327

Solution did not achieve original objective.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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