Home/ Troubleshooting/ How to Print to a File

How to Print to a File

Problem

You want to print from ProPay to a file instead of to paper (for testing, archiving, or avoiding wasting check stock).

Solution

You can configure any Windows printer to print to a file instead of to a physical printer.

Configure printer to print to file

  1. Open My Computer (or This PC in newer Windows versions).
  2. Open Printers (or Devices and Printers).
  3. Locate the printer icon you use with ProPay.
  4. Right-click the printer and select Properties.
  5. Click the Details tab (or Ports tab in newer Windows versions).
  6. Click the down arrow below Print to the following port.
  7. When the list of available ports appears, select FILE:.
  8. Click OK.
  9. Close all windows.

Using the file printer

The next time you print from ProPay:

  1. Select the printer you configured for file output.
  2. Click Print.
  3. ProPay will prompt you to enter a filename.
  4. Enter any filename (e.g., checkregister.prn or test.prn).
  5. Choose the location to save the file.
  6. Click OK.

To avoid wasting paper: You can keep writing over the same file each time you print. Just use the same filename each time.

Creating a dedicated file printer

Important: If you use the same printer with other programs, you may want to set up a separate printer icon specifically for printing to file.

To create a dedicated file printer:

  1. Open Printers.
  2. Right-click the printer you use with ProPay.
  3. Select Copy (or use Ctrl+C).
  4. Right-click in an empty area and select Paste (or use Ctrl+V).
  5. Windows creates a copy of the printer (usually named "Copy of [Printer Name]").
  6. Right-click the copied printer and select Rename.
  7. Rename it to something descriptive like "ProPay File Printer".
  8. Configure this copied printer to print to FILE: (follow steps above).
  9. In ProPay, go to Client Functions > Setup > System Setup > Tab 3 (Printers).
  10. Select your new "ProPay File Printer" as the check printer or report printer.

Now you have:

  • Your original printer for normal printing to paper
  • A dedicated file printer for ProPay when you need to print to file

When to Use Print to File

Printing to file is useful for:

  • Testing - Test check printing without wasting check stock
  • Previewing - See what will print before using real forms
  • Archiving - Save printed output for electronic records
  • Troubleshooting - Capture print output to send to support
  • Training - Practice payroll processing without using actual forms

Switching Back to Paper Printing

To switch back to printing on paper:

  1. Open Printers.
  2. Right-click the printer.
  3. Select Properties.
  4. Click the Details or Ports tab.
  5. Select your normal printer port (e.g., LPT1, USB001, or network port).
  6. Click OK.

Or simply select a different printer in ProPay's printer setup that's configured for paper output.

Related Topics

← Back to Index