If you would like reports emailed but you do not use a physical office printer to print reports, you must create a virtual printer to properly format the reports.
The virtual report printer must be setup as the default printer in Windows.
In this article:
What is a virtual printer?
A virtual printer is an application that replicates the software interface for a physical printer and allows the user to carry out various tasks without actually printing anything. Virtual printers work with print drivers that are coded to send their output to other applications rather than to a physical device.
When is a virtual printer used?
A virtual printer is used when you need to continue to print reports on an attached receipt printer but you also need the ability to email reports. A virtual printer is only used when you do not have a physical report printer (80 column, standard printer).
PART 1
Adding a Virtual Printer
- Go to Printers and Devices (or Printers and Scanners) in Windows
- Under Printers and Scanners, select “The printer that I want isn’t listed”
- Select “Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings” > Next
- Select “Use an existing port:” and choose XPSPort (Local Port), if available. If it is not available, use the LPT3 Port.
Alternatively, you can create an XPSPort, if preferred. Click here to learn how to create it.
You must use the XPS Port or LPT3 Port. These are the only ports that will not cause spooling errors. - Then select Next.
- Choose any of the printer drivers in the provided list (Brother, Kodak, etc) > Next
- Choose “Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended)" > Next
- Choose the default printer name or create a new name > Next
- Choose “Do not share this printer” > Next
-
You must have this printer checked as the default printer! Select Finished.
If the reports from MicroSale are blank after they are emailed, it means that the virtual printer is not the default in Windows.
PART 2
Assigning the virtual printer in MicroSale
- Launch MicroSale
- Go to Managers Menu > Register Setup > Terminal Configuration > Printer Setup
- Next to “Report”, select the corresponding virtual printer and Save. Exit when complete.
- You can now go to the Reports Menu and view PDF reports onscreen and/or email the PDF.