VBA to reset the default printer

[colinharwood]

CreatePDF:
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
CreateObject("WScript.Network").SetDefaultPrinter "Microsoft Print to PDF"
'copy details & save to PDF file
Range("$A$1:$H$45").Select
ThisFile = Range("N5").Value & " " & Range("O5").Value
FileDrive = "C:\TMES Email Renewals\"
Selection.PrintOut Copies:=1, ActivePrinter:= _
"Microsoft print to pdf", Collate:=True, _
printtofile:=True, prtofilename:=FileDrive & ThisFile & ".pdf"
Sheets("PDF Membership Card").Range("S1").Select

When using this code , It changes the default printer to "Microsoft Print to PDF". Is there a way to get the name of the original default printer, to use as a variable , to reset the default printer after printing to "Microsoft Print to PDF"
Thanks

 

[jasonb75]

You could try

Dim oldPrinter As String
oldPrinter = Application.ActivePrinter

' your print to pdf code goes here

Application.ActivePrinter = oldPrinter

 

[colinharwood]

Thanks, I have already tried that, it seems logical, but it doesn't seem to work.

 

[jasonb75]

Strange, it works fine for me. I've done a quick edit to your code, see if anything happens.

Sub test()
Dim oldPrinter As String
oldPrinter = Application.ActivePrinter

Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Application.ActivePrinter = "Microsoft print to pdf"
'copy details & save to PDF file
Range("$A$1:$H$45").Select
ThisFile = Range("N5").Value & " " & Range("O5").Value
FileDrive = "C:\TMES Email Renewals\"
Selection.PrintOut Copies:=1, Collate:=True, _
printtofile:=True, prtofilename:=FileDrive & ThisFile & ".pdf"
Sheets("PDF Membership Card").Range("S1").Select

Application.ActivePrinter = oldPrinter

End Sub

 

[colinharwood]

When I try it I get an error, see attached picture

 

[jasonb75]

I just took the printer name directly from your code, it might be that you need to add "on Ne01:" or similar at the end.

The easiest way to find the correct one will be to manually select pdf as default printer, then step through the first couple of lines of code with the f8 key. Once it has passed oldPrinter = Application.ActivePrinter you can hover your cursor over that to get the correct path.

edit:- should add that you will need to manually set the printer back to default before testing the code otherwise pdf will be the default and it will still go nowhere.

 

[colinharwood]

The only way I can get it to work is with the CreateObject("WScript.Network").SetDefaultPrinter "Microsoft Print to PDF line, not the Application.ActivePrinter = "Microsoft print to pdf"

 

[jasonb75]

Run this and tell me exactly what is in the message box (screen cap preferable to prevent typos).

Sub getname()
MsgBox Application.ActivePrinter
End Sub

 

[colinharwood]

Here's the screenshot

 

[jasonb75]

Sorry, it's given the wrong printer name. My fault entirely, try this instead.

Sub getname()
CreateObject("WScript.Network").SetDefaultPrinter "Microsoft Print to PDF"
MsgBox Application.ActivePrinter
End Sub