How to Control Acrobat's Choose Paper Source by PDF Page Size
Question details
The user needs to programmatically or globally control the 'Choose Paper Source by PDF Page Size' option to automate print settings for mixed-page-size PDFs.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Automating advanced PDF print settings for documents containing mixed page sizes without requiring manual user intervention in the print dialog.
- Observed behavior
- The user wants to enforce a specific paper source routing behavior (enabled or disabled) either via scripts or system preferences.
Verify your exact Adobe Acrobat product tier (Reader vs. Pro) and release version (e.g., DC, 2020), as the exact registry paths and supported JavaScript API objects differ depending on the installation.
Automate Print Settings via JavaScript printParams Object
Using Acrobat's officially supported JavaScript API is the most reliable way to enforce print settings without relying on system-level configuration changes.
The JavaScript `printParams` object exposes advanced printing configurations, including mixed-page-size handling, which older IAC methods like `PrintPagesSilentEx` may fail to address properly.
Press Ctrl+J in Adobe Acrobat to open the interactive JavaScript debugger and console interface.
Declare a variable to retrieve the current print parameters by executing `var pp = this.getPrintParams();`.
Set the appropriate paper source properties within the `pp` object to handle mixed page sizes as needed for your automated print job.
Trigger the print action by executing `this.print(pp);`, applying the automated settings directly to the current document.
Modify System Preferences via Windows Registry
For a global, system-wide application of this setting, you can configure the Windows Registry to cache the preference upon Acrobat startup.
Manage Complex PDF Print Settings Easily with WPS Office
If managing JavaScript objects or tweaking Windows Registry keys is too complex, WPS Office offers a built-in, user-friendly PDF reader that handles mixed-page-size printing tasks flawlessly through an intuitive graphical interface.
- 1. Open Your PDF Document: Launch WPS Office and open your mixed-page-size PDF file.
- 2. Access the Print Interface: Click the Print icon in the upper toolbar or press Ctrl+P to open the comprehensive Print dialog.
- 3. Configure Page Sizing: Under the 'Page Sizing & Handling' section, select the option to automatically choose the paper source based on the PDF page size.
- 4. Print Seamlessly: Click 'Print' to send the document to your printer, letting WPS handle the paper tray routing automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 'Choose Paper Source by PDF Page Size' setting actually do?
This setting commands the printer to automatically switch between different paper trays (like Letter and Legal) to match the exact dimensions of each individual page within the PDF document.
Why does my printer stall when printing mixed-size PDFs?
If the paper source setting is enabled but your physical printer trays do not contain the requested paper sizes, the printer will typically pause and prompt you to manually load the correct paper format.
Does the Registry fix apply to all Windows user profiles?
If you apply the DWORD value under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER hive, it will only affect the currently logged-in Windows account. To apply it system-wide, administrative deployment tools may be required.
