Two Advanced preferences won't go together
I am doing some web scraping, and i noticed a problem i am having. When i set the advanced preferences at about:config as such: print_printer = Mozilla Save as PDF and print.always_print_silent = true , then a pop up shows up and exclaims : The selected printer could not be found. If print.always_print_silent is set to false, then it works, or even if is true, if i set the print_printer as something else like: Microsoft Print to PDF, it works. Just the combination that i need isn't working. Is this a general problem or is it something else. Here are all my current customized preferences.
print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_bgimages True print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_bgcolor',True print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_footercenter','' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_footerleft','' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_footerright','' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_headercenter','' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_headerleft','' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_headerright','' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_unwriteable_margin_top_twips','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_unwriteable_margin_left_twips','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_unwriteable_margin_bottom_twips','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_unwriteable_margin_right_twips','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_paper_size_unit','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_margin_right','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_margin_bottom','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_margin_left','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_margin_top','0' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_scaling','1' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_shrink_to_fit',True print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_paper_id','iso_a4' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_paper_height','11.6929133858268' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_paper_width','8.26771653543307' print.printer_Mozilla_Save_to_PDF.print_to_filename' ,'C:/Users/user/Desktop/CSS Table/test.pdf'
I would greatly appreciate you help.
Modified by cor-el
All Replies (5)
Dropa said
Did it not work before doing what your doing now. I never had issues doing a print to pdf without making those changes. So what sites are you using this for.
I am using local HTML files. It works perfectly with Microsoft Print to PDF, but then it doesnt recognize text. Anyways the problem stands at these two having these exact settings at the same time. I hope i can get some help.
I think the problem is that Mozilla Save to PDF isn't actually a printer, it's an internal converter that is exposed through the Print overlay. Print silent probably sends the print job straight to the OS bypassing the converter, so in that case, Windows has no idea what "printer" Firefox is talking about.
One possible workaround would be an add-on that can save as PDF without showing a print preview. Mine requires two clicks (one toolbar button, one Save as PDF button), so that's not ideal; at some point I should add a keyboard shortcut. Also, it currently doesn't let you set margins.
But if you want to try it, let me know what you think:
https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/printable-the-print-doctor/
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer said
One possible workaround would be an add-on that can save as PDF without showing a print preview. Mine requires two clicks (one toolbar button, one Save as PDF button), so that's not ideal; at some point I should add a keyboard shortcut. Also, it currently doesn't let you set margins. But if you want to try it, let me know what you think: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/printable-the-print-doctor/
I understand this would be a great approach for manual use, but what I'm doing is an automated approach with selenium and python. The approach i have to take is set about:config settings in a way that when i press ctrl+P it instantly downloads it, no clicking. Thats my problem.
Add-ons would not be an option if you have to use Ctrl+P because they cannot take over built-in keyboard shortcuts. But if your process could use a different keyboard shortcut, a purpose-built add-on that auto-saves could help.