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Firefox "Print Preview" has disappeared from the File menu - Again (vers 97.0.1)

  • 9 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by Mike109

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Not exactly sure when this started, but I recently updated to FF 97.0.1.

I previously made the about:config changes about a year ago when this happened. "Double-click the print.tab_modal.enabled preference to switch between the new experience (true) and the classic experience (false)".

But it's not working now. I even toggled back & forth (false - true - false) but to no avail.

How do I get the Print Preview option showing up in the drop down File menu like it used to be?

Not exactly sure when this started, but I recently updated to FF 97.0.1. I previously made the about:config changes about a year ago when this happened. "Double-click the print.tab_modal.enabled preference to switch between the new experience (true) and the classic experience (false)". But it's not working now. I even toggled back & forth (false - true - false) but to no avail. How do I get the Print Preview option showing up in the drop down File menu like it used to be?

All Replies (9)

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Starting in Firefox 84, "Print" calls up a combined preview + setup overlay. Is that not working on yours?

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As mentioned, I was referring to the about:config change that brought back the convenient Classic style Print Preview, which has been working till very recently.

The " combined preview + setup overlay" works, but I find it clumsy & it takes up a lot of screen real estate. It shrinks the image of the page I'm looking at & crowds it out with a big overlay of options that are not usually needed. If there was a way to post an image I could show you.

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I'm not sure you need to show me a screenshot, as it has been the default print experience for a long time.

I agree it is annoying that the preview image doesn't use the full height available. I've filed a bug report with a suggested fix but until someone takes action on that, the only workaround is an unofficial one. More info: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1368927#answer-1485764

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I know this "new improved" print preview has been the default for awhile. And people have complained about it ever since it was made the default. And now that the about:config setting change does not work anymore, a lot of people are complaining again.

Why can't the powers that be listen to the people & have the Classic print preview as an option? What the heck is the problem?

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When companies hear their customers concerns and incorporate them into their development, the customers are happier. When the customers are happier, they are more loyal to the company and the company can take that to the bank.

We don't like the new print preview. Taking away the classic, SIMPLE TO USE print preview is not making the customers happy.

I am not happy. At least give us a choice. And it would be nice if you asked us about all the great, new innovations before foisting them on us.

I have liked firefox a LONG time. Do I need to go else where?

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Hi egmannon, I can't predict the future, but I am doubtful that the old preview design will return. What did you find simpler about it? Maybe some improvements can be made to the new design.

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Hi jsher2000,

I preferred the separate page that had the functions at the top to choose to open.

The overlay is smaller and we don't need to see the background through it. I don't like have to scroll down to see everything that is available.

Because the side menu has all the functions displayed, when I am looking for a particular function, it is harder to find it than on the simpler, classic view. Think modern furnishings. I find the functions easier to scan horizontally as in reading a line of print, rather than vertically, as in reading a table of contents.

Having to click custom for specific pages, i.e. 2, 7-10, 16, is an unwanted step.

The choice of fewer settings hides the scale feature which I found most useful and would like to have in the upper area.

On the margins, I sometimes wanted to customize margins to print on a quarter of the page or make something small. That is gone!

The options feature is seriously reduced in the number of options available as compared to the classic print preview. In the classic preview, I could dictate which headers and footers I wanted to print and which corner I wanted them on.

These concerns may seem minor but they add up. Plus, sometimes we just like what we already know how to use and feel comfortable with. I am willing to learn new things if they are really helpful. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I don't find this new print preview an improvement.

Thanks for asking my opinion. I hope it will be helpful.

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This new print Preview really sucks. Now my wife is all over me to do something to fix it because it’s cumbersome to use & the page is too small to read what’s on it.

I reduce the size in order to fit almost everything on a single page to print, but can’t read which text lines I’m cutting off at the bottom of the page. Maybe I want to squeeze in & retain a phone number or address but not some other stuff at the bottom. But if I scale the page to 70% or 80% then the print is too small to read. Then I have to go back & look at the full size page & count how many lines are at the bottom that can be safely eliminated. Then go back to Print Preview & view at 100% and slowly change the scale while keeping track of how many lines are slowly getting cut off.

This is just not acceptable. Never had to struggle & go back & forth like that before. What a PITA.

What’s the best way to roll back to FF 94 or whichever was the latest version where you could use the about:config settings to bring back the good old Classic Print Preview?

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