How to print in javascript?

Introduction

Printing in JavaScript is a common task that allows developers to generate physical copies of digital content. Whether it’s printing a webpage, a form, or a specific element on a page, JavaScript provides several methods and techniques to achieve this functionality. In this article, we will dive deeper into the topic of printing in JavaScript, exploring different approaches and providing practical examples.

Using the `window.print()` method

The simplest way to print a webpage using JavaScript is by using the `window.print()` method. This method triggers the print dialog box, allowing the user to choose the printer and customize the print settings before generating the printout. Here’s an example of how to use the `window.print()` method:

“`javascript
function printPage() {
window.print();
}
“`

By calling the `printPage()` function, the print dialog box will be displayed, and the user can proceed with the printing process.

Customizing the Print Layout

While the `window.print()` method provides a straightforward way to print a webpage, sometimes we need more control over the print layout. JavaScript offers the `@media print` CSS media query, which allows us to define specific styles for printing. By using this media query, we can customize the appearance of the printed page, such as hiding certain elements or applying different styles. Here’s an example:

“`css
@media print {
.hide-on-print {
display: none;
}

.print-only {
font-weight: bold;
}
}
“`

In the example above, the `.hide-on-print` class will be hidden when the page is printed, while the `.print-only` class will have a bold font weight. By applying these classes to the appropriate elements in the HTML markup, we can control their visibility and styling specifically for printing.

Printing Specific Elements

In some cases, we may want to print only a specific element on a webpage, rather than the entire page. JavaScript provides the `window.print()` method, which can be combined with the `innerHTML` property to achieve this. Here’s an example:

“`javascript
function printElement(elementId) {
var element = document.getElementById(elementId);
var printWindow = window.open(”, ‘_blank’);
printWindow.document.write(‘‘);
printWindow.document.write(element.innerHTML);
printWindow.document.write(‘‘);
printWindow.document.close();
printWindow.print();
}
“`

In the example above, the `printElement()` function takes an element ID as a parameter. It retrieves the element using `getElementById()`, opens a new window using `window.open()`, and writes the HTML content of the element to the new window. Finally, it calls the `print()` method on the new window to trigger the print dialog box.

Conclusion

Printing in JavaScript is a powerful feature that allows developers to generate physical copies of digital content. By using the `window.print()` method, customizing the print layout with CSS, and printing specific elements, developers can provide a seamless printing experience for users. Whether it’s printing a webpage, a form, or a specific element, JavaScript provides the necessary tools to accomplish this task.

References

– developer.mozilla.org
– www.w3schools.com
– stackoverflow.com