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This article details a <print-preview>
web component designed for precise print control and preview, addressing a significant challenge in migrating a 1994-1996 VBA application to a modern web-based e-commerce platform. The original application's reliance on MS Access reports necessitated a robust solution for generating printable documents like packing slips and invoices in the new web environment.
The <print-preview>
component offers several key features:
Implementation:
The component is integrated into HTML as follows:
<code class="language-html"><print-preview><paper-sheet><h1>Hello, Printer!</h1><p>This will look great on paper.</p></paper-sheet></print-preview></code>
Each <paper-sheet>
element represents a single page. Importantly, the component must be a direct child of the <body>
element, and only one instance is permitted. The component is loaded via JavaScript:
<code class="language-javascript">import PrintPreview from './index.js';</code>
And displayed using the preview()
method:
<code class="language-javascript">const printPreview = document.querySelector('print-preview'); if (printPreview) printPreview.preview();</code>
Templating Example (Invoices):
Templates replace the functionality of Access reports:
<code class="language-javascript">const invoiceTemplate = (data) => data.map((obj) => { // ... (Invoice data processing) ... return ` <paper-sheet><h2>Invoice</h2> <p> ... </p> <table part="table"></table></paper-sheet> `; }).join('');</code>
Styling with CSS and ::part
:
CSS and the ::part
pseudo-element provide styling capabilities similar to a report designer:
<code class="language-css">print-preview { &::part(table) { border-collapse: collapse; margin-block-start: 4rem; width: 100%; } // ... (other styles) ... }</code>
Direct styling within the template is also possible.
Image Handling:
The component allows control over image visibility in the print preview, offering options to show, hide, or display as outlines to conserve printer toner.
Localization:
The component's interface language is easily configurable using the i18n
object:
<code class="language-javascript">PrintPreview.i18n = { es: { // ... (Spanish translations) ... } };</code>
Conclusion:
The <print-preview>
component offers a powerful solution for managing print output in web applications, effectively replacing the report-generation capabilities of older systems. The author notes that the component is still under development and may receive updates and bug fixes. A demo and GitHub repository are available for further exploration.
Cover image by Wendelin Jacober: https://www.php.cn/link/86158a6b3924670a32dad65bbc41bd95
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