Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Easily Changing Print Order.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 27, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Bob wonders if there is an easy way to switch from normal print order to reverse print order and back again. He understands it can be changed in the Print dialog box, but he is looking for a command he can place on the toolbar, instead.
The easiest way to implement a macro approach would be to create two macros. One is used to set normal print order, and the other is used to set reverse print order:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
Sub ForwardPrint()
Options.PrintReverse = False
End Sub
Sub ReversePrint()
Options.PrintReverse = True
End Sub
The macros are very, very simple and can be assigned to individual toolbar buttons. If you prefer to implement a solution that uses a single macro (so you only need to use one toolbar button), then the following may work just fine:
Sub SwapPrint()
With Options
If .PrintReverse = True Then
.PrintReverse = False
MsgBox ("Now printing in normal order")
Else
.PrintReverse = True
MsgBox ("Now printing in reverse order")
End If
End With
End Sub
This approach toggles the PrintReverse property, so it switches between normal and reverse order. The macro also displays a dialog box that indicates the current printing order.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (590) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Easily Changing Print Order.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
With a printer (and printer driver) that understand PostScript, you can do some nifty drawings directly to the paper, ...
Discover MoreIf you are printing more than one copy of a multi-page document, it would be great if Word could print them in complete ...
Discover MorePutting words on the printed page is easy in Word. Rotating those words in different manners can be a bit trickier. This ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments