This post is part of a series on printing to different trays in Dynamics NAV

  1. Print to Different Trays in NAV – Part 1
  2. Print to Different Trays in NAV – Part 2
  3. Print to Different Trays in NAV – Part 3
  4. Print to Different Trays in NAV – Part 4 (this post)

In this fourth and final part, we’ll implement a practical solution for printing a sales invoice with multiple tray requirements and discuss the limitations you’ll encounter in modern NAV versions.

The Requirements

For our sales invoice printing scenario, we need to meet these specific requirements:

  1. First page: Print from the first tray using colored paper
  2. Last page: Print from the second tray using preprinted paper (with terms and conditions on the back)
  3. Other pages: Print from the lower tray (standard paper)

Implementation Steps

To fulfill these requirements, we’ll use the report properties described in Part 1.

For testing purposes, I’ll save the “Sales - Invoice” report (ID 206) under a new name and number, then adjust the properties as follows:

  • PaperSourceFirstPage = Custom 2
  • PaperSourceDefaultPage = Lower
  • PaperSourceLastPage = Custom 3

Once configured, create an invoice, post it, and print it. The tray selection should work as expected!

The Reality Check: RTC Limitations

While this approach works beautifully, you’ll quickly discover a significant limitation when printing multiple invoices or multiple copies. NAV does not consistently use the correct trays for each document.

Unfortunately, this is a known limitation in the Windows Client (RTC) because:

  • RDLC does not support PAPERSOURCE functionality
  • RDLC uses report properties for physical pages only, not logical document pages

Legacy vs. Modern NAV

This limitation doesn’t affect NAV 2009 R2 Classic Client and older versions because you could force PAPERSOURCE directly in the code. However, if you’re still using NAV 2009 R2 or older versions, it’s time to upgrade—and you’ll encounter these limitations in newer versions.

Workarounds and Alternatives

While there’s no perfect solution for this RTC limitation, consider these alternatives:

  1. Separate print jobs: Print different pages in separate operations
  2. Custom solutions: Develop external printing utilities
  3. Modern alternatives: Consider Business Central cloud capabilities for new implementations

Key Takeaways

  • Multi-tray printing works for single documents in NAV RTC
  • Batch printing and multiple copies face inherent RDLC limitations
  • Legacy Classic Client had better printing control
  • Plan accordingly when designing print workflows

This concludes our series on printing to different trays in NAV. While the limitations are frustrating, understanding them helps you make informed decisions about print workflow design.

Resources and Downloads

Sources and examples for this series are available in the original documentation.

This blog is also available on Microsoft Dynamics NAV Community

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