Save as PDF plugin requires installed printers?

[Saqib Ali]

I just installed the Save as PDF plugin for Office 2007 Suite. But
whenever I try to save a file it errors out by saying "No printers are
installed".

We are not allowed to install printers on our research campus
computers. My question is why does the Save as PDF plugin requires the
printers to be installed in the first place?

Is there any work around it?

Thanks
saqib
http://www.linkedin.com/in/encryption

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

Ultimately, it works as a virtual printer. It's not the only feature that
works that way. Faxing, Microsoft Office Document Image Writer, Microsoft
XPS Document Writer, and Send To OneNote 2007 all work through printing
mechanisms, as do a number of 3rd party add-ins.

Note that none of those are printers, but they all using the printing API. I
assume from what you're saying that there are no installed printer objects
whatsoever in Control Panel - Printers control... and/or that that control
is missing entirely. If the latter, this sounds awfully limiting on the part
of your technical folks.

 

[David Walker]

I just installed the Save as PDF plugin for Office 2007 Suite. But
whenever I try to save a file it errors out by saying "No printers are
installed".

We are not allowed to install printers on our research campus
computers. My question is why does the Save as PDF plugin requires the
printers to be installed in the first place?

Is there any work around it?

Thanks
saqib
http://www.linkedin.com/in/encryption

If the Add Printers option is available in the Control Panel, you can try
to "install" a printer like this:

Install it as a local printer. UNcheck the option to automatically detect
the printer.

Under manufacturer "Generic", you'll see a printer called "Text Only". You
should be able to install this "printer" and then the printing APIs will be
available.

If you were to ever print to this printer, it will ask you the name of the
file to save to, I think.

David Walker