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Controlling how messages are printed
A common complaint is the inability to control which pages are printed. This is because Outlook's printing options are severely lacking. While its bad in all areas of Outlook, many users notice it when attempting to print email messages. Outlook's native printing engine does not support selecting which pages to print or limiting the printout to the first page.

In Outlook 2003 and older versions HTML formatted messages use Internet Explorer's printing engine, which offers more printing options. Outlook 2007 supports View in Browser, but it does not include the email header information.  In either case, you have all of the print capabilities available for web page, including the printing of specific pages or the selected text.

Workarounds | Tools | More Information

Workarounds

If the following workarounds don't meet your needs, try one of the Tools listed below.

Convert the message to HTML format:

  • Outlook 2003 and earlier: convert the message to HTML if it's Rich Text or Plain Text. Do this using Edit, Edit Message, then Format, HTML
  • Outlook 2007: open the message in its own window, then click Other Actions, View in Browser

    • Outlook 2003 and older, with Word as the email editor: Click Forward then print the message. Close the message after printing.

    Tools
    Blueprint for Outlook   Blueprint provides a suite of useful printing features. Reduce Paper Usage by printing selection and page range. Use the Blueprint Quick buttons to perform repetitive or complex printing operations in a single click - Print Message and Attachments. Control Print Layout - Add Headers and Footers including Company Logo and Sensitivity Markings. Automatically print incoming / outgoing messages and attachments. Choose to only autoprint the first page. Choose to include/exclude specific attachment types in print jobs. Add print buttons to a separate Outlook toolbar for extra control. Available in Basic, Professional, and Enterprise versions. Supports Outlook 2000-2007 Vista, Windows XP and Windows 2000.
    Outlook Printer   Print your Outlook Emails the way you want. Outlook Printer allows you ro customize the printing of your Outlook mails with an easy to use interface. Prints incoming e-mails automatically.
    PF-PrintMerge   Generate Adobe Acrobat files from Outlook and other database merges.
    Print4OL   Print4OL is a Outlook COM-Addin for printing or showing single (memo style) or multiple (table style, report style, calendar style or label style) items in MS-WordŽ, using Word Templates. Supported on Windows XP/Vista, Outlook and Word XP/2003/2007 with latest Service Pack.
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    More Information

    The following pages address other Outlook printing issues:

  • Error Printing HTML Formatted Email
  • Remove mailbox name when printing email
  • Calendar Printing Tools for Outlook
  • Printing Address Books from Microsoft Outlook and Exchange Server
  • Printing Labels or Envelopes for Microsoft Outlook Contacts
  • Print Email (and Attachments) on Arrival
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    Updated Apr 09 2008
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