Batch print

Location on ribbon: Tab DVD Addin → Group File and Print

Command ID: btnBatchPrint

License required

This command needs an active DVDAddin account (Standard or PRO). During the trial period it is fully available.

What it does

This command prints or exports a whole series of documents from one template sheet by writing each number of a range into a single driver cell and reprinting after every change. Every formula that references that cell recalculates, so one form can produce hundreds of different documents.

It is the standard way to issue inspection records per structural element, inspection requests per work package, or payment sheets per period, instead of editing and printing one at a time. The dialog can store the whole configuration in a hidden DVDAddinSetting sheet inside the workbook so it is ready next time.

How to use

1. Prepare a template sheet driven by one cell (for example A1 holds the element number and the rest of the form uses VLOOKUP against it).
2. Go to tab DVD Addin → group File and Print → click Batch print. The window is modeless, so you can keep working in the sheet while it is open.
3. Under Number range, choose Continuous (Start–End) and type the first and last number, or choose Discrete (1+3+5) and list the individual numbers separated by plus signs.
4. Fill in Driver cell (number) — the cell that receives the current loop value. Click the ⤴ button to pick the cell straight from the worksheet.
5. Fill in Sheet-print cell — a cell holding the names of the sheets to print each round, separated by +.
6. Fill in Filename cell if you plan to export PDFs — the cell that supplies the file name for each iteration.
7. Set Copies (Print) and tick Collate to print 123, 123 rather than 111, 222, 333.
8. Under Options, enable what you need: refresh AutoFilter between loops, auto-fit row height for merged cells, auto-insert a page break at the signature block, combine all exported PDFs into one file, and skip picture areas or whole print areas where a dvdPic formula has no image.
9. Click Save to store the configuration, Export PDF to write files, or Print to send everything to the active printer.

Example

A project has 120 columns, each needing a work inspection record. The Record sheet pulls element name, level and concrete grade from the number in B2.

In the Batch print window you choose Continuous from 1 to 120, set Driver cell to Record!$B$2, point Sheet-print cell at a cell containing Record+Annex, and point Filename cell at a cell with ="Record_Column_"&B2. Tick Combine all exported PDFs into 1 file and click Export PDF: the add-in runs 120 iterations, exporting two sheets each time, and finishes with a single continuous PDF ready for signature.

Notes

• The add-in really changes the driver cell while it runs, so save the workbook before starting a large batch.
• The file name from the Filename cell only matters for Export PDF; clicking Print ignores it.
• Combining PDFs likewise only applies to Export PDF — each loop writes a temporary file that is merged into one at the end.
• Settings are stored in a hidden DVDAddinSetting sheet inside the workbook itself, so they travel with the file when you send it to someone else.
• If the sheet uses dvdPic formulas whose images are missing, enable the two skip-empty-picture options so you do not print blank pages.
• A long run can take several minutes; avoid typing into cells while the add-in is printing to prevent conflicts with Excel.

Related

• Print pages — when you only need a few individual pages of the current sheet.
• Sheets → PDF — quick export of the selected sheets, no loop involved.
• Set page margins — align paper size and margins across sheets before a batch run.
• Get sheet print — build the sheet-name string you feed into the Sheet-print cell.