Defining an Output Device for Front-End
Printing (SAP GUI for Windows)
Use
To use front-end printing using the SAP GUI for Windows on your work station computer, you must have specified an output device in the print window that was specifically created for this print method.
The output device is created using the device definition. You do not need to create different device definitions in the SAP system for your work station printers. You create a generic output device that forwards the print data to the front end, from which the print request comes.
As of SAP NW 7.0 EhP 1, front-end printing using control technology with access method G replaces the traditional front-end printing using SAPlpd (access method F). This type of front-end printing no longer requires SAPlpd. The print window is also no longer displayed in the SAP system. Instead, by default, a Microsoft Windows printer selection window is called directly from the control. The restriction on the length of printer names therefore no longer applies.
Prerequisites
● You require authorization to create output devices.
● The Microsoft Windows operating system is installed on the front ends (work station computers).
● For more information about additional prerequisites for front-end printing without SAPlpd (access method G), see Front-End Printing with Control Technology.
Procedure
Follow the procedure below to create a device definition for front-end printing:
...
1. Call transaction SPAD, and choose Output Devices.
2.
If you are not in
change mode, switch to this mode by choosing 
Change.
3. You can now do the following:
○ You can create a new device definition by choosing Output Device → Create.
○ You can use an existing device definition as a template.
To do this, click the entry for the output device that is to be used as a template, and choose Output Device → Create Using Template.
4. Fill out the mandatory fields of the device definition as follows for front-end printing:
|
Field |
Entry |
Device Attributes Tab Page |
Output device |
Enter a name for the output device that makes it clear to your users that this is the front-end printer, such as LOCL. |
|
Device type |
We recommend that you use the device type SWIN, SAPWIN, or a language-specific version for Microsoft Windows PCs. However, you can use any device type. Use the device type pdf1 or a language-specific version for Front-End Printing Using SAP GUI for HTML. |
Host Spool Access Method tab page |
Access Method |
Specify the access method G for front-end printing. |
|
Host Printer |
Enter a specific printer name or __DEFAULT, if you want to address the default printer in a Microsoft Windows system. |
|
No Device Selection at Frontend |
If this option is not activated, the Microsoft Windows selection box is displayed, from which the user can select a printer. If the option is activated, the system prints directly to the default printer, or to another printer entered in the printer definition. |
5. Save your entries.
Result
When you save the device definition, it is available for your users’ use. To print documents using their front end, users must enter the name of the output device that you have just created in the Output Device field of the print window.
Example
The following example shows the device definition for front-end printing with the output device LOCL. If users enter LOCL as the output device, their operating system default printer is used.
Since the No Device Selection at Frontend is not selected, the Microsoft Windows printer selection list is displayed for the user, from which he or she can select another printer, if desired.
More information:
Output Devices in the SAP Spool System
