Can a PDF file's print dialog be opened with Javascript?

Question

I know how to open a webpage in a new window and add javascript so the print dialog pops up. Is there a way to do a similar thing with a PDF file?

Answer 1

Yes you can...

PDFs have Javascript support. I needed to have auto print capabilities when a PHP-generated PDF was created and I was able to use FPDF to get it to work:

http://www.fpdf.org/en/script/script36.php

Answer 2

I usually do something similar to the approach given by How to Use JavaScript to Print a PDF (eHow.com), using an iframe.

1. a function to house the print trigger...

   function printTrigger(elementId) {     var getMyFrame = document.getElementById(elementId);     getMyFrame.focus();     getMyFrame.contentWindow.print(); } 

2. an button to give the user access...

   (an onClick on an a or button or input or whatever you wish)

   <input type="button" value="Print" onclick="printTrigger('iFramePdf');" /> 

3. an iframe pointing to your PDF...

   <iframe id="iFramePdf" src="myPdfUrl.pdf" style="display:none;"></iframe> 

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Bonus Idea #1 - Create the iframe and add it to your page within the printTrigger(); so that the PDF isn't loaded until the user clicks your "Print" button, then the javascript can attack! the iframe and trigger the print dialog.

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Bonus Idea #2 - Extra credit if you disable your "Print" button and give the user a little loading spinner or something after they click it, so that they know something's in process instead of clicking it repeatedly!