Print widget is printing a blank page

[Aparajita Mahajan]

I am trying to print a slide in Captivate 9. It prints a blank page and I just learned that the widget is not HTML compatible. Does anyone know how to print a correctly sized slide using Internet Explorer? I have to use IE browser only.

[laurent_machado]

Hello,

try to insert a button with this javascript code  window.print() ;

Have a nice day

[RodWard]

That code will trigger the Windows Print dialog to open, but it doesn't give you control to over-ride the end-user's default settings for the orientation etc.  Your end user will need to get involved and change the settings if they want to get better results.

[Aparajita Mahajan]

Thanks Rodward. That's precisely what I am worried about. Do we have a better solution?

[RodWard]

I've not seen any guaranteed way to code the links so that you can control the printer settings on the end user's browser.  If you go this route, then you just need to instruct users that they must adjust their settings for Landscape orientation etc.

If what you are trying to print out is the Completion Certificate for the course, then I tend NOT to favour trying to print a slide per se.  I usually create an HTML web page that is coded to show the course name and date etc.  I provide a text entry box in the HTML code of that page to allow the user to input their own name.  They can only reach this page by successfully completing the course.

[Aparajita Mahajan]

Thanks RodWard. I am giving an option to clients to print a reference page. It is not a certificate. But I will keep in mind your advise about a certificate for future projects. Many thanks.

[RodWard · Accepted solution]

Then in that case I would DEFINITELY be suggesting you put the references up as a web page that they could print in Portrait orientation.

[Aparajita Mahajan]

Hello Laurent,

Thanks for your answer. I tried using the button method already. However, the page is getting cut off and I figure the printer properties will have to be corrected before printing. Is there an easier method I can provide to the clients to get just the right output?

It will be a SCORM project published in an LMS.

Thanks for your help.

[David Burnham HBA]

I agree that printing from Captivate can be problematic especially on the portrait - landscape issue. My suggestion and one I offer to my students is that you link to resource documents or certificates that are pdf documents. Printing from pdf can pretty well ensure document fidelity and integrity of fonts and colours and well as print orientation. This can be done directly in Captivate by creating a button, link or hotspot to take you to the resource. Of course the learner has to have a free Adobe Reader or Acrobat Software or similar to view and print the content of the pdf files and choose the proper orientation.

Certificates differ from page resources since they actually have fillable pdf form fields that the learner can type the information into prior to printing. This works similar to having the field objects on the html page, but what I like is the printing the page is pretty well guaranteed when it comes from pdf. You can put these pdf documents in the LMS.

I show a certificate example that I offer to my class participants in the link below.

http://www.harperburnham.com/harpburn/pdf_library/examplecertificatetousewithcaptivatecoursesecure.p...

[Aparajita Mahajan]

Thanks DB hba. I am waiting to see whether asking audience to change orientation is acceptable. I do still like the suggestion for a PDF. Will you be able to give me the exact script for the button that taken one to the PDF?