Excel macro: Queue up prints?

[ComputerGuy2006]

I have a macro that collects data, create a form, then sends that page to be printed.

The problem: Data collection takes almost 1 minute. So if I need to run this 100 times it means 1 page is printed every minute.

Is there a simple/easy way I can have excel create an internal 'print' queue, so after it runs 100 times, it just sends 100 print jobs to the printer (so they print all at once)?

I am thinking I can probably re-code the macro so it creates a new worksheet for each time it runs, then after 100 items are created it just loops over all of them... But I am hoping for maybe something a bit cleaner?

 

[mxnerd]

If you don't have any other printing jobs, then pause the printer then unpause the printer after 100 data collections & printing jobs are finished? Print jobs will stay in printing queue until you unpause it.

 

[mxnerd]

Another way is print to individual PDF files first then loop through PDF files and print to real printers when the job is done.

 

[ComputerGuy2006]

This is a macro that I did not code and is run at work. So part of the problem is my prints and many other employees prints get mixed up. I am not sure how 'pausing' the printer would work, but even if it did only pause my items, it would still mean I could not print anything else while I am waiting for the macro to finish.

 

[mxnerd]

You did not code the macro but you can modify it, is that right? If you can modify it, then print the job to pdf printer. Then batch print those pdf files.

I haven't program for a while, but I know it can be done.

 

[ComputerGuy2006]

Not sure how this pdf saving things works (as I have never done that with a macro). That being said, I cannot save any of this data (as it contains sensitive information), nor do I have internet access to download any third party API/libraries.

 

[mxnerd]

Googled for you.

https://www.google.com/search?q=excel+macro+save+as+pdf

http://www.contextures.com/excelvbapdf.html

But if you can't do anything about it or save anything, then ask IT dept to buy a $100 laser printer specific for the job. Problem solved.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828112546

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Or just recode the macro like you said earlier.

 

[Tweak155]

Sounds like a poorly written macro if it takes 1 minute to gather data that can fit on 1 sheet of paper unless you have network limitations. Sounds like you could improve the quality of the macro as well depending on the size of it so there is not a 1 minute delay between prints. But, saving the data to separate tabs then printing is likely a lot easier and will work just as well.