How to Create Custom Separator Page Files (102712)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server
This article was previously published under Q102712

SUMMARY

Windows allows the specification of a separator page file to be printed at the start of each print job. Several of these files are included with Windows. In addition, custom separator page files may be created to suit individual needs. The Windows "Concepts and Planning Guide" documents how to create such files.

NOTE: The Windows NT Workstation documentation does not address this topic.

MORE INFORMATION

To create a custom separator page file, use a text editor such as Notepad. On the very first line, type one single character, and then press ENTER. The character on this line defines the character used as an escape character. For example, the following list assumes that this character is the at sign (@).

  1. Enter the escape codes for the functions you want, and then save the file with an .sep extension in the Windows SYSTEM32 subfolder.
  2. In Print Manager, select the printer that you want to use the separator page file with, and then click Choose Properties on the Printer menu.
  3. Click Details, specify the name of the desired separator page file in the Separator File box, and then click OK.
The following list describes the escape codes that can be used in a separator page file and their functions:
  • @N: Prints the user name of the person that submitted the job.
  • @I: Prints the job number.
  • @D: Prints the date the job was printed. The representation of the date is the same as the Date Format in the International section in Control Panel.
  • @T: Prints the time the job was printed. The representation of the time is the same as the Time Format in the International section in Control Panel.
  • @Lxxxx: Prints all the characters (xxxx) following it until another escape code is encountered.
  • @Fpathname: Prints the contents of the file specified by path, starting on an empty line. The contents of this file are copied directly to the printer without any processing.
  • @Hnn: Sets a printer-specific control sequence, where nn is a hexadecimal ASCII code sent directly to the printer. To determine the specific numbers, see your printer manual.
  • @Wnn: Sets the width of the separator page. The default width is 80; the maximum width is 256. Any printable characters beyond this width are truncated.
  • @U: Turns off block character printing.
  • @B@S: Prints text in single-width block characters until @U is encountered.
  • @E: Ejects a page from the printer. Use this code to start a new separator page or to end the separator page file. If you get an extra blank separator page when you print, remove this code from your separator page file.
  • @n: Skips n number of lines (from 0 through 9). Skipping 0 lines moves printing to the next line.
  • @B@M: Prints text in double-width block characters until @U is encountered.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/6/2003
Keywords:kbinfo kbprint KB102712
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