Troubleshooting
Problem
This document provides information on various options for converting spooled files to Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
Resolving The Problem
IBM i provides a few options for generating Adobe Acrobat PDF files.
- Converting spooled files to PDF using IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries
- Converting spooled files to PDF using the "Export As" function in IBM Navigator for i
- Generating PDF files instead of spooled files using Transform Services
- Converting spooled files to PDF using CPYSPLF command and Transform Services
- Displaying spooled files as PDF using IBM Navigator for i
- Exporting spooled files as PDF using IBM Navigator for i
- Virtual Printers task IBM Navigator for i
- Converting spooled files to PDF using a printer session with Transform Services
- Converting spooled files to PDF using a printer session and a PDF printer driver
IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries product (5722IP1) can be used to convert *SCS, *AFPDS and *IPDS spooled files to Adobe PDF format. The PDF file can be sent as an email, written to a stream file in the Integrated File System (IFS), written to a *USERASCII spooled file in an output queue, or a combination of these.
For more information, please refer to the following documents:
Warning: There is a 70-day grace period where you can the IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries product prior to purchasing a license.
For more information, please refer to the following documents:
- Configuring an Infoprint Server *IPDS Device Description
- Finding Additional Information for Infoprint Server and PDF Mapping Exit Programs
Warning: There is a 70-day grace period where you can the IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries product prior to purchasing a license.
The Export As function in Navigator for i can be performed using either Infoprint Server (product 5722IP1) or Transform Services (product 5770TS1). The corresponding product must be installed on the system for the function to be successful.
Warning: There is a 70-day grace period where you can the IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries product prior to purchasing a license.
Warning: There is a 70-day grace period where you can the IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries product prior to purchasing a license.
The Transform Services product (5770TS1) can be used to generate a PDF stream file in the Integrated File System (IFS), instead of generating a spooled file in an output queue.
For more information, please refer to the following documents:
For more information, please refer to the following documents:
The Transform Services product (5770TS1) can also be used to convert an existing *SCS or *AFPDS spooled file to a PDF stream file in the Integrated File System (IFS).
For more information, please refer to the following documents:
For more information, please refer to the following documents:
The Transform Services product (5770TS1) is required to display *AFPDS or *SCS spooled files in PDF format when working with spooled files using the IBM Navigator for i.
Starting with IBM i 7.1, IBM Navigator for i also has an Export As option that can either use the Transform Services (5770TS1) to export a spooled file to as a PDF in the client file system (IFS), or that can use the IBM Infoprint Server for iSeries product (5722IP1) to export a spooled file as a PDF to an output queue, to the integrated file system (IFS) or to e-mail.
Starting with IBM i 7.2, IBM Navigator for i also a Virtual Printers task (under Basic Operations > All Tasks > Printers > Virtual Printers) that can be setup to monitor a particular output queue on an IBM i system, then manually convert those spooled files to PDF and silently print/save the resulting PDF to the Windows default printer using Adobe Reader and it's printing option.
After creating the virtual printer, it must be started. Follow the instructions displayed when starting the virtual printer.
This function requires the use of a browser that allows you to select the application to open PDF files. Many browsers have built-in PDF viewer capabilities. Mozilla Firefox allows you to select the application to open the PDF.
Additionally, once the virtual printer is started, a message is displayed.
Virtual printer <PrinterName> is monitoring/printing spooled files in output queue <LibraryName/OutputQueueName>. If this panel is closed, the spooled files will not be printed.
This message is literal. If this message is not shown, the PDF will not be created/printed.
Note: There is a known issue with the SDKSilentPrint.js file not being available. This will be resolved with the latest version of IBM i Access Client Solutions released in December, 2019.
Note: Virtual Printers task requires the Transform Services product (5770TS1).
Note: Virtual Printers task requires the Transform Services product (5770TS1).
Starting with 7.1 i5/OS, the Transform Services product (5770TS1) can also be used with a PC5250 printer session to "print" existing *SCS or *AFPDS spooled file to a PDF file on a user's PC.
IBM i Access Client Solutions
With IBM i Access Client Solutions, the printer session would be configured to use Host Print Transform (HPT) with the Customizing Object set to the system-supplied QCTXPDF *WSCST object in library QSYS (or the QCTXPDF2, QCTXPDFMBD, QCTXPDFMB2, QCTXPDFWT or QCTXPDFWT2 *WSCST object).
You can install the Generic Text Only printer and have it point to FILE: or a specific path and file name, but there is also a Print-to-File option where you can specify the path and file name and use a "*" to have the printer session automatically increment the file name from "000" to "999".
IBM i Access Client Solutions
With IBM i Access Client Solutions, the printer session would be configured to use Host Print Transform (HPT) with the Customizing Object set to the system-supplied QCTXPDF *WSCST object in library QSYS (or the QCTXPDF2, QCTXPDFMBD, QCTXPDFMB2, QCTXPDFWT or QCTXPDFWT2 *WSCST object).
You can install the Generic Text Only printer and have it point to FILE: or a specific path and file name, but there is also a Print-to-File option where you can specify the path and file name and use a "*" to have the printer session automatically increment the file name from "000" to "999".
Another option would be to configure a PC5250 or TN5250e printer session to use a PDF printer driver.
Note: A PDF printer driver cannot be used with Host Print Transform (HPT). In IBM i Access Client Solutions, the printer session must be set to use Java Print Service. This means you will not be able to print *AFPDS spooled files. You will also have limited control over the formatting of the output, including limited control over the font selection.
Note: A PDF printer driver cannot be used with Host Print Transform (HPT). In IBM i Access Client Solutions, the printer session must be set to use Java Print Service. This means you will not be able to print *AFPDS spooled files. You will also have limited control over the formatting of the output, including limited control over the font selection.
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Historical Number
23752254
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Document Information
Modified date:
06 January 2021
UID
nas8N1019457