HOW TO: Use Automation to Print a Microsoft Word Document using Access 2000

This article shows how to use Automation to print a Microsoft Word document that you are working with in a Microsoft Access function or in an Access form's object frame.

The following examples assume you have a Microsoft Word document called C:\Wordtest.doc.

Example - Printing a Microsoft Word Document

This example opens and prints a Microsoft Word document.

1. Start Microsoft Access and open any database.
2. Create a module and type the following procedure:

   Function PrintDoc()
      Dim WordObj As Object
      Set WordObj = CreateObject("Word.Application")
      WordObj.Documents.Open "C:\Wordtest.doc"
      WordObj.PrintOut Background:=False
      WordObj.Quit
      Set WordObj = Nothing
   End Function
   					

3. To test this function, type the following line in the Immediate window, and then press ENTER.
   ? PrintDoc()

Example - Printing a Microsoft Word Document in a Form's Object Frame

This example shows how to print an embedded Microsoft Word object on a form.

1. Start Microsoft Access and open any database.
2. Create a new form not based on any table or query in Design view.
3. Add an unbound object frame control to the form.
4. In the Insert Object dialog box, click Create From File, and then type C:\Wordtest.doc in the File box. Click OK.
5. Set the Name property of the object frame to OLEObj.
6. Add a command button to the form and set the following properties:
   Command Button:
   -----------------
   Name: PrintDoc
   Caption: Print Word Doc
   OnClick: [Event Procedure]
7. Click the Build button next to the command button's OnClick property, and then type the following procedure:

   Private Sub PrintDoc_Click()
      Dim WordObj As Object
      Me![OLEObj].Verb = -2   'Tells Access to open the application
      Me![OLEObj].Action = 7  'Activates the application
      Set WordObj = Me![OLEObj].Object.Application
      WordObj.PrintOut Background:=False
      WordObj.Quit
      Set WordObj = Nothing
   End Sub
   					

8. Open the form in Form view and click the Print Word Doc button.
   
   Note that Microsoft Word starts, prints the document, and then returns to the form.

NOTE: In both examples, when the Automation object goes out of scope, the instance of Microsoft Word is unloaded, unless the object was created from a previous instance (already opened).

For more information about using Automation, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type understanding automation in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For more information about the Verb property, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type verb property in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For more information about the Action property, click Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu, type action property in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.