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Printing Webpages Using Firefox: Issue Resolved

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Version 73.0.1

When printing a webpage from Firefox (Open Menu->Print), the print preview mode is displayed. On most websites with multiple pages, each page displays the full text in order.

However, on some websites with multiple pages, the first page displays text but the second page only shows the header in the top left and the website in the top right but the page is blank. On other webpages, full webpage text is displayed but it is out of order.

When using Opera, the webpages that showed blank text or out of order text in Firefox are displayed completely and in the correct order.

Is it a website browser compatibility and configuration issue (the webpage is only configured correctly for certain browsers) or Is this a known Firefox glitch that causes some pages not to be displayed correctly in print preview mode?

I hope that my question is clear.

Version 73.0.1 When printing a webpage from Firefox (Open Menu->Print), the print preview mode is displayed. On most websites with multiple pages, each page displays the full text in order. However, on some websites with multiple pages, the first page displays text but the second page only shows the header in the top left and the website in the top right but the page is blank. On other webpages, full webpage text is displayed but it is out of order. When using Opera, the webpages that showed blank text or out of order text in Firefox are displayed completely and in the correct order. Is it a website browser compatibility and configuration issue (the webpage is only configured correctly for certain browsers) or Is this a known Firefox glitch that causes some pages not to be displayed correctly in print preview mode? I hope that my question is clear.

Modified by Buddy2014

All Replies (20)

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This may be a regression, looking into it.

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Hello Eve-Thank you for reaching out.

Your wording is unclear-In this context, what do you mean by a 'regression?'

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Hi Buddy2014, can you give a link to a page where the Preview shows the sections will print out-of-order?

For sites where a block of content seem to run off the bottom of a page so you only get partial results, this can be caused by style rules that Firefox can't/won't break and it just tries to fit as much as possible on one page. There are bugs on file for many of those problem styles, but I don't know when they will be fixed. Since I see that quite often, I created an add-on to tackle that problem. If you want to give it a try, see: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/printable-the-print-doctor/

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jscher2000:

To be clear, the issue in print preview is not that content runs off the bottom of a page so only partial results are given. The issue is either the first page displays text but the second page only shows the header in the top left and the website in the top right but the remainder of the page is blank OR full webpage text is displayed but it is out of order.

Here is a link to a website where print preview displays the first page of text but the second page shows the header in the top left and the website in the top right but the remainder of the page is blank: https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations/tetanus-shot-side-effects

Either the website is not configured for Firefox or the website is configured for all browser types but there is a Firefox-specific glitch.

Modified by Buddy2014

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Buddy2014 said

Here is a link to a website where print preview displays the first page of text but the second page shows the header in the top left and the website in the top right but the remainder of the page is blank: https://www.healthline.com/health/vaccinations/tetanus-shot-side-effects

That is caused by using the site using the style rule display: flex for the article body. You need to override that rule in order for Firefox 73 to paginate it. That's the first button the add-on provides (goes from one page + one blank page to eight pages).

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To be clear, in order to access each page of the website in print preview, I have to install a Firefox add-on?

If so, why isn't the add-on built into the version update and why do other pages preview cleanly without the add-on?

'Obviously', I am missing something!

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To be clear, there are printing bugs in Firefox related to blocks of content styled with display: flex and I am too impatient to wait for them to be fixed so I -- an individual support volunteer, not a Firefox developer, not even employed by Mozilla -- created an add-on to use now while we all wait.

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Other browsers do not have this glitch with the need to install an add-on so I was confused.

Since an add-on is available, step by step, how do I install it?

Also, does installing this add-on 'save' it from version to version or does the add-on need to be installed after each update is released?

Modified by Buddy2014

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Buddy2014 said

Since an add-on is available, step by step, how do I install it? Also, does installing this add-on 'save' it from version to version or does the add-on need to be installed after each update is released?

It is on the Mozilla Add-ons site:

https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/printable-the-print-doctor/

It should stay installed like other add-ons.

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To confirm, the add-on is called Printable–The Print Doctor.

I click the 'Add To Firefox' blue button to add it to the browser and it will show up under Tools->Add-Ons->Extensions?

1. If the above is correct, does the browser have to be closed and re-opened in order for the add-on to take effect?

2. Since 'some' websites preview clearly without this add-on, will this add-on interfere with those websites 'or' can I choose to use the add-on only on websites that have the browser glitch?

Modified by Buddy2014

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Hi Buddy2014, no need to restart after installation.

The add-on shows up on the toolbar and sits there doing nothing. When you see a problem in Print Preview, then close Print Preview, click the toolbar button for the add-on, and click the most relevant button on the drop-down to inject changes into the page and preview the results.

For more info on how it works:

https://www.jeffersonscher.com/ext/printable.html

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I understand that the toolbar button is clicked when there is an issue with preview.

1. However, you lost me with choosing the most relevant button; Which 'button' deals with my website issue?

Modified by Buddy2014

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Hi Buddy2014, have you looked at the listing on the Add-ons site or the help page? It's the first button in this case.

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jscher2000

Please answer each question separately:

1. Selecting the 'Allow page breaks light' option in order to fix my issue does not 'remember' the option so I have to select this option each time the website is previewed?

2. There is a pop-up stating 'Node layout for printing' and there are options to 'print' or 'hide'-Which one do I select and do I 'X' out after selecting an option?

Modified by Buddy2014

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Buddy2014 said

1. Selecting the 'Allow page breaks light' option in order to fix my issue does not 'remember' the option so I have to select this option each time the website is previewed?

This option injects changes into the page that persist only until the page is reloaded. As long as you have not reloaded the page, you do not need to use the button again.

2. There is a pop-up stating 'Node layout for printing' and there are options to 'print' or 'hide'-Which one do I select and do I 'X' out after selecting an option?

When you mouse over areas modified by certain buttons, tools appear to hide unwanted areas. If the preview did not show any unwanted areas, click Disable Tweaking to remove those tools.

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Selecting the 'Allow page breaks light' option fixes my issue and shows all pages.

1. To be clear: I can exit and re-enter preview mode and the website changes are saved. However, if the website tab is closed and re-opened, the 'page breaks' option has to be selected again?

2. Is there a way to 'disable tweaking' permanently or does it have to be selected each time after the preview page is closed?

Modified by Buddy2014

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Buddy2014 said

1. To be clear: I can exit and re-enter preview mode and the website changes will remain. However, if the website is closed and re-opened, the option has to be selected again?

Correct.

2. Is there a way to 'disable tweaking' permanently or does it have to be selected each time after the preview page is closed?

I'm not sure what you mean. The tweak panels are added when you use the add-on buttons (#1, #2, and #4). If you disable them, they are disabled until you use the button again. It doesn't matter how many times you go into print preview.

I can add an option to never inject the tweak panels at all, but it will take some time. Maybe over the weekend.

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Is all of this correct:

During the same session, I can exit and re-enter preview mode and the website preview changes will remain. In addition, the tweak pop-up will only appear the first time that the preview page is closed.

During a new session: If the website tab is closed and re-opened, the website preview change option has to be selected again. In addition, the tweak pop-up option will be displayed again but only the first time that the preview page is closed.

Modified by Buddy2014

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Hi Buddy2014, this is not about the session. This is about the page load. Any changes loaded into the page remain until the page is reloaded, whether that is through Ctrl+r or closing it and re-opening it. Reloading the page flushes the changes made by the extension and takes you back to the starting point.

Try it and see how it works.

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Thanks!

All of this information (including the steps to install an add-on just to preview webpages completely and orderly since Firefox does not have this feature built-into its software) is new to me so I appreciate you walking me through it.

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