You may need a hard copy of a document’s metadata, such as author name, file size, word count, or last modified date. By default, Word does not print this information along with the document content. This article explains how to configure Word to print document properties on a separate page or as part of the document summary. You will learn two methods: using the Print dialog and modifying the print settings in the Backstage view.
Key Takeaways: Printing Document Properties in Word
- File > Print > Print All Pages > Document Properties: Select this option to print metadata on a separate page instead of the document content.
- File > Options > Display > Print document properties: Enable this setting to automatically include a properties summary page with every print job.
- File > Info > Properties > Advanced Properties > Summary tab: View and edit all metadata fields before printing.
Understanding Document Properties in Word
Document properties are metadata fields attached to a Word file. They include standard fields such as Title, Author, Company, Subject, and Keywords. Word also tracks statistical data like word count, character count, total editing time, and last saved date. These properties are stored inside the document file itself, not in the visible content. You can access them via File > Info > Properties > Advanced Properties. The Summary tab shows editable fields, while the Statistics tab shows read-only data. To print these properties, you must tell Word to include them in the print output. By default, Word prints only the document body. The methods below change that behavior.
Method 1: Print Document Properties Using the Print Dialog
This method prints the document properties on a separate page. It does not alter the normal print settings for future print jobs. Use this when you need a one-time properties printout.
- Open the document in Word
Launch Word and load the file whose properties you want to print. - Go to File > Print
Press Ctrl+P or click File then Print to open the Print dialog. - Click the first drop-down under Settings
By default it shows Print All Pages. Click it to expand the menu. - Select Document Properties from the list
Scroll down the Document Info section and click Document Properties. The preview pane updates to show a page with all metadata fields. - Click the Print button
Word prints only the properties page, not the document content. To print both, repeat the steps and select Print All Pages after printing the properties.
If you want to print both the document and its properties in one job, print the document first, then follow the steps above to print only the properties on a separate sheet.
Method 2: Enable Automatic Printing of Document Properties
This method changes a global Word option. After enabling it, every print job includes a properties summary page. Use this if you regularly need metadata in your printed output.
- Open Word Options
Click File > Options. - Go to the Display category
In the left pane, click Display. - Check Print document properties
Under Printing options, locate Print document properties and check its box. - Click OK
Word saves the setting. Now every print job includes a properties page. - Test the setting
Press Ctrl+P. The preview shows an extra page with document properties before the content pages.
To turn off automatic printing of properties, return to File > Options > Display and uncheck Print document properties.
Common Issues When Printing Document Properties
Document Properties Page Is Blank or Missing Fields
If the printed properties page shows empty fields, the document has no metadata entered. Open File > Info. On the right pane, click Add a title or Add an author to fill in the fields. For existing documents, click Properties > Advanced Properties and fill in the Summary tab fields.
Print Preview Does Not Show the Properties Page
This occurs when you select Document Properties from the drop-down but the preview still shows document content. Close the Print dialog, reopen it, and ensure Document Properties is selected. If the issue persists, restart Word and try again.
Changes to Document Properties Do Not Appear in Print
Word caches properties when you open the Print dialog. After editing properties, close and reopen the Print dialog to refresh the preview. Alternatively, save the document after editing properties, then open Print.
Printing Document Properties: Word Online vs Desktop
| Item | Word for Desktop | Word for the Web |
|---|---|---|
| Print document properties separately | Yes, via Print dialog drop-down | No, not supported |
| Automatic properties page with every print | Yes, via File > Options > Display | No, option does not exist |
| View properties before printing | File > Info > Properties | File > Info (limited fields) |
| Edit properties before printing | Yes, via Advanced Properties dialog | Only Title and Author fields |
Word for the Web does not support printing document properties. Use the desktop version if you need metadata in printed output.
You can now print document properties in Word using either the one-time Print dialog method or the permanent Display setting. For frequent printing of metadata, enable the automatic option in File > Options > Display. To edit properties before printing, use File > Info > Properties > Advanced Properties and fill in the Summary tab. If you need to print properties for multiple documents, consider creating a Word macro that toggles the Print document properties setting on and off.