Plotting Using Microsoft Word (Windows)

Overview

This document provides you with a quick overview of how to plot to DotCIO's plotters using the Microsoft Word application.

Note that Word restricts the page size to a maximum of 22 inches in either dimension. If you need a larger plot, use another application, such as PowerPoint. 

Procedures

There are 2 ways to plot in Word:

• You can select a large page size in Word (and a correspondingly large page size in the printer).
• You can keep your page size small in Word, choose a large paper size in the printer, and scale your document when printing.

Working with a large page size:

1. Select Print from the File menu.
   (You must do this first or the larger page sizes are not available in Word.)
   
   1. Select one of the plotters (e.g., vcp7100).
   2. In Properties, choose a large paper size, for example, ANSI C (17"x22") and choose landscape or portrait.
   3. Click Close (don't print at this time).
2. Select Page Setup from the File menu, then select paper size ANSI C.
   (landscape or portrait, as appropriate)
3. In the Word document, prepare your file.
   (You can view at small size (~25%) to see better what it will look like.)
4. Use Print Preview to see if it looks right. Do not print if it shows parts of your page cut off. In that case, adjust the margins in Page Setup and preview again.
   (The margins should be at least .75"; 1" is probably safer.)
5. Print.
   (Making sure correct plotter and page size are still in effect).

Working at a small size and scaling when printing:

1. Prepare your Word file at a small size, such as US letter (8.5"x11"), choosing either portrait or landscape.
2. Select Print from the File menu.
   1. In Properties, choose a large paper size, for example, ANSI C (17"x22"), and choose the orientation to match.
   2. Click OK.
   3. In the "Scale to Paper Size" box, select ANSI C.
   4. Click Cancel.
3. Use Print Preview to see if it looks right. Do not print if parts of your page are cut off. In that case, adjust the margins in Page Setup and preview again. (The margins should be at least .75"; 1" is probably safer.)
4. Print.
   (First make sure correct plotter and page size are still in effect, and re-select the scaling, as this will probably have been reset).

Customizing Print Sizes:

If you need to customize a print size, please look at the "Printing Using Custom Paper Sizes" article.

Last Reviewed: 06-Dec-2019