System and method for linking a file to a document and selecting the file

A printer driver for selecting a file that has been associated with a document, wherein the contents of the file are used when the document is printed, the printer driver comprising:

• means for retrieving a first identifier from a print record associated with the document when the document is to be printed, wherein the file has at least a first identifier and a second identifier associated with it;
• means for selecting the file by searching all files for at least one match using the first identifier;
• if only one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier, using the contents of the file when printing the document;
• if more than one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier, means for retrieving the second identifier from the print record associated with the document;
• means for searching all files for only one match using the first identifier and the second identifier;
• if a only one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier and the second identifier, using the contents of the file when printing the document;
• and
• if more than one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier and the second identifier, means for returning an error message because the selected file can not be found.

A system for selecting a file that has been associated with a document, wherein the contents of the file are used when the document is printed, the system comprising:

• means for retrieving a first identifier from a print record associated with the document when the document is to be printed, wherein the file has at least a first identifier and a second identifier associated with it;
• means for selecting the file by searching all files for at least one match using the first identifier when the document is to be printed;
• if only one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier, means for using the contents of the file when printing the document;
• if more than one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier, means for retrieving the second identifier from the print record associated with the document;
• means for searching all files for only one match using the first identifier and the second identifier;
• if only one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier and the second identifier, means for using the contents of the file when printing the document;
• and
• if more than one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier and the second identifier, means for returning an error message because the selected file can not be found.

A system for associating a file to a document and selecting the file when the document is printed so that the contents of the file can be used when the document is printed, the system comprising:

• means for selecting a file containing data to be used when printing the document;
• means for storing a file identifier in a print record associated with the document after the file is selected, wherein the file identifier is comprised of a first identifier and a second identifier;
• means for retrieving the first identifier from the print record associated with the document when the document is to be printed;
• means for selecting the file by searching all files for at least one match using the first identifier when the document is to be printed;
• if only one match occurs when searching all files using fie first identifier, means for using the contents of the file when printing the document;
• if more than one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier, means for retrieving the second identifier from the print record associated with the document;
• means for searching all files for only one match using the first identifier and the second identifier;
• if only one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier and the second identifier, means for using the contents of the file when printing the document;
• and
• if more than one match occurs when searching all files using the first identifier and the second identifier, means for returning an error message because the selected file can not be found.