Microsoft KB Archive/63631

Word: Format Border Box Prints in Draft Mode on Dot Matrix

PSS ID Number: Q63631 Article last modified on 11-02-1994

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= SUMMARY =

The IBM line draw characters extend to the edge of the character box, allowing them to interconnect. Many dot matrix printers must make multiple passes to print these characters. To allow reasonably quick printing, most of the printer drivers for Word were designed to use draft mode when printing these characters. If near-letter-quality (NLQ) mode is used, it will typically add another head pass, which could cause up to four passes in some cases.

This method of printing is very slow; however, it is possible to modify the driver to allow NLQ line draw characters to be used. The only concern is that the font must contain the IBM extended characters that support the line draw characters and it must be monospace. Any proportionally spaced font will cause a total misalignment of the boxes.

= MORE INFORMATION =

To change the line draw font to NLQ, use the MAKEPRD utility to convert the PRD binary file into text (see Chapter 6 in the “Printer Information for Microsoft Word” manual). Determine which font will be used for line draw and insert that font number after the “LinedrawFont” parameter in the model block of the PRD.

When the PRD is converted back to a binary file with MAKEPRD, it will print all cursor line draw and box functions using this new font.

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================================================================ Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1994.