Microsoft KB Archive/152217

= Error Printing to LPT1 with 1-2-3 Print Macro in Windows =

Article ID: 152217

Article Last Modified on 8/17/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 5.0 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q152217





SYMPTOMS
When you run a Lotus 1-2-3 print macro in Microsoft Excel, you may receive the following error message

Macro error at cell:

where is the address of the macro's print statement. After you click OK, you receive the following error message:

Error printing to LPT1



CAUSE
The reason for the error is that the macro is trying to create a file called "c:\lpt1" and the printer was not set up for printing from MS-DOS- based programs. If, when installing the printer driver, you clicked "No" to "Do you print from MS-DOS-based programs?", then Microsoft Windows 95 is using named pipes, and the port is not truly redirected as the Microsoft Excel macro thinks it is.

NOTE: The error also occurs when Microsoft Excel version 5.x is running on Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, version 3.11 and the port, LPT1, is not connected to a printer.



RESOLUTION
For the Lotus 1-2-3 print macros to work correctly, set up the printer to print from MS-DOS-based programs. To do so, follow these steps:


 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
 * 2) Double-click the Add Printer icon.
 * 3) Click Next. Click Network Printer, and then click Next.
 * 4) Type the network path or the queue name of your printer. If you don't know its name, click Browse to view available network printers.
 * 5) Click Yes when asked "Do you print from MS-DOS-based programs?" Click Next.
 * 6) Click the Capture Printer Port button. Change the Device to LPT1 and click OK.
 * 7) Click Next.
 * 8) Continue to click Next until the printer is installed.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.



MORE INFORMATION
Lotus 1-2-3 is manufactured by a Lotus Development Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.

Additional query words: 5.00a 5.00c 97 8.00 XL

Keywords: kberrmsg kbprint kb3rdparty KB152217

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