Streamline Your Printing Process with a Custom Print Button

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Request Phase
3. The Survey
4. Hidden Fields for Staff
5. Notifications and Alerts
6. Print This Page Option
7. Creating the Print Button
8. Comparison: Download PDF vs Print
9. Benefits of Print This Page Option
10. Conclusion

Introduction

In this article, we will explore a form that can be used to request services for those who work or have worked with cats. While the form is not limited to cats, it offers some unique features specifically designed for this purpose. One of the key requirements is to have a print button that allows users to easily print the form without any formatting issues. In this article, we will delve into the various aspects of this form and how to create a seamless printing experience.

The Request Phase

The request phase is where coordinators can submit a request for support from the Cats Research Center. Coordinators have a designated link on their site that they can click on to initiate the request. The request form allows coordinators to specify the date, time, and requirements for their visit. Once the form is submitted, it automatically notifies the Cats researchers about the request.

The Survey

The survey is a crucial component of the form as it only displays the necessary fields for coordinators to request their visit. It prompts coordinators to provide their email and specify their requirements. The survey ensures that coordinators only see the relevant information and eliminates unnecessary components specific to the staff.

Hidden Fields for Staff

The form includes additional fields that are essential for the staff to determine the resources needed for the request. These fields are not visible to coordinators and are hidden using the "Hidden Survey" feature. By utilizing this functionality, the form can present a cleaner and more streamlined interface for coordinators.

Notifications and Alerts

Upon receiving a request, the Cats researchers are notified through an alert and notification system. This ensures that they are immediately aware of new service requests. Additionally, once the Cats researchers have reviewed and confirmed the request, a confirmation email is automatically sent to the coordinator, providing them with the necessary information for their visit.

Print This Page Option

To address the requirement of having a printed form for coordinators to sign, a "Print This Page" option has been implemented. This option allows coordinators to print the form exactly as it appears on the screen, ensuring that they can easily obtain a paper form for documentation purposes. The "Print This Page" option produces a print preview that mirrors the form's layout, including all embedded fields and visual formatting.

Creating the Print Button

The implementation of the "Print This Page" option involves the creation of a custom print button. The button is designed using a div element with Bootstrap button classes. By assigning an ID to the div element, it can be targeted in JavaScript code to activate the print functionality. The code leverages the window.print function, which triggers the browser's native print dialogue and allows the entire page to be printed, preserving the form's appearance.

Comparison: Download PDF vs Print

A comparison between the traditional "Download PDF" option and the new "Print This Page" option reveals significant differences. When the form is downloaded as a PDF, the resulting file may have formatting issues and may not accurately represent the form's layout. On the other hand, the "Print This Page" option ensures that the printed form is faithful to the original design, providing coordinators with a visually consistent and professional-looking document.

Benefits of Print This Page Option

The "Print This Page" option offers several advantages for coordinators and administrators alike. It simplifies the printing process, eliminating the need to navigate complex settings or resort to unconventional methods. By enabling coordinators to print the form exactly as it appears on the screen, it ensures that all embedded fields and visual elements are retained, providing an accurate representation for documentation purposes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the implementation of a "Print This Page" option in the form requesting services for cat-related activities has greatly enhanced the user experience and streamlined the printing process. Coordinators can now easily obtain a printed form that accurately reflects the online version, simplifying documentation and sign-off procedures. This option highlights the importance of considering the specific needs and preferences of users when designing forms and interfaces.