Classic ASP web page calling Powershell to print a Word document

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  Question: Can I automate Word, to only print an HTML file by calling Powershell from the server side (IIS)?

  We are moving many classic ASP pages from an old 2003 server to a 2012 server - no problem with that part, but to couch what we're doing I added it.

  Several of those apps accept user input into form data and then the report is sent via email and/or sent to a printer.  I can that just fine.  While testing the printouts I was asked if the font could be larger by the folks using the report.  So, I found where I could use Word as a conduit to print the report and enlarge the font.

  When I run the Powershell script in the Windows Powershell ISE - SUCCESS!  Mostly anyway - in order to use the correct printer I need to change the default printer in Powershell - not ideal.

  When I fill in the form and call the Powershell script server side (IIS) it will not print - I get this error ($Error object):

  -2146233087 - You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression.^Line: $output = $pdoc.PrintOut()

  Here's how I'm using Powershell:

  <#
      .SYNOPSIS
          Test script for printing to a specific printer, which must be installed on the server.
  #>
  
  Function LogWrite
  {
     Param ([string]$logstring)
  
     Add-content $Logfile -value $logstring
  }
  
  $FileName = $args[0]
  $PrinterName = $args[1]
  $Logfile = $args[2]     #"c:\temp\CLINICAL_SVCS_script.log"
  $strReturn = "0^Successful"
  
  #Send To named printer
  try
  {
  #Print a file from Microsoft Word (which can apply formatting changes)
  $WordObj=New-Object -ComObject Word.Application
  $Doc = $WordObj.Documents.Open($FileName)
  $WordObj.Visible = $true
  $pdoc = $WordObj.activeDocument
  
  #Change the Default Printer
  (Get-WmiObject -ComputerName . -Class Win32_Printer -Filter "Name='$PrinterName'").SetDefaultPrinter()
  
  #Send To Default Printer
  $output = $pdoc.PrintOut()
  $output | Out-Printer #-name $PrinterName  -InputObject $output
  
  #Close File without saving 
  $Doc.Close([ref]0)
  $WordObj.quit()
  
  }
  catch
  {
      $strMessage = $error[0].Exception.Message
      $strHResult = $error[0].Exception.HResult
      $strLine = $error[0].InvocationInfo.Line
      $strReturn = "1^Error attempting to print report.^" + $strHResult + "^" + $strMessage + "^Line: " + $strLine
  }
  finally
  {
      # garbage collection
      [gc]::collect() 
      [gc]::WaitForPendingFinalizers()
  }
  
  # write to a log file
  #  Log file time stamp:
  $LogTime = Get-Date -Format "MM/dd/yyyy@hh:mm:ss"
  $LogRecord = $LogTime + "^" + $FileName + "^" + $PrinterName + "^" + $strReturn
  LogWrite $LogRecord
  
  $strReturn

  Friday, September 4, 2015 3:18 PM