Printing excel can be frustrating, especially if the final output is not what you expected. One of the common problems encountered when printing an excel spreadsheet is when it gets cut off or its edges are not aligned when printed. It can be bothersome, especially if it contains important information that needs to be viewed in its entirety. In this article, we will discuss the steps on how to print excel without getting cut off and some tips on how to make it look presentable and neat.
Step by Step Guide on How to Print Excel Without Getting Cut Off
Here are the steps that you need to follow to avoid getting cut off in excel when printing:
Step 1: Adjust the Size and Orientation of the Spreadsheet
The first thing that you need to do is to adjust the size of the spreadsheet and the page orientation. By default, the size of an excel cell is set to 8.43 x 10.72 inches, which is slightly larger than a standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper. To adjust the size, you need to:
- Select the entire worksheet by clicking on the top-left corner of the spreadsheet.
- Go to the Page Layout tab and click on the Size button.
- Choose the paper size that you want to use.
After adjusting the size, make sure to select the correct page orientation. By default, it is set to portrait, but you can choose landscape if it fits your spreadsheet better.
Step 2: Set the Print Area
Once you have adjusted the size and orientation of the spreadsheet, the next thing that you need to do is to set the print area. The print area is the part of the spreadsheet that you want to print. By default, it is set to the entire worksheet, but you can change it by:
- Selecting the range of cells that you want to print.
- Clicking on the Page Layout tab and then clicking on the Print Area button.
- Choosing Set Print Area.
Make sure to select the print area carefully to avoid unnecessary information from being printed.
Step 3: Adjust the Margins
The margins of the spreadsheet can also affect the final output when printing. If the margins are too large or too small, it can cause the spreadsheet to get cut off when printed. To adjust the margins:
- Go to the Page Layout tab and click on the Margins button.
- Choose the margin size that you want to use. You can also choose Custom Margins to adjust the margins yourself.
Make sure to preview the spreadsheet to check if the margins are set correctly before printing.
Step 4: Preview the Spreadsheet
It is always a good practice to preview the spreadsheet first before printing to avoid any errors or mistakes. To preview the spreadsheet:
- Go to the File tab and click on Print.
- Choose Print Preview to see how the spreadsheet will look like when printed.
- Make any necessary adjustments before printing.
Previewing the spreadsheet will give you an idea of how it will look like when printed, and you can make necessary adjustments to the size, orientation, print area, and margins.
Tips for Printing Excel Without Getting Cut Off
Aside from following the steps above, here are some tips to make sure that your excel spreadsheet will look presentable when printed:
Tip 1: Use Gridlines to Define Cells
Gridlines are the thin lines that divide cells in excel. To display gridlines when printing, follow these steps:
- Go to the Page Layout tab and click on Gridlines.
- Choose View Gridlines.
Gridlines are helpful when printing because it defines the cells and makes the spreadsheet look organized and neat.
Headers and footers are the information that appears at the top and bottom of the printed page. It can be used to add page numbers, date, time, and other relevant information. To add headers and footers:
- Go to the Insert tab and click on Header & Footer.
- Choose the header or footer that you want to use.
- Customize the text as needed.
Headers and footers can make the spreadsheet look professional and organized. It also helps readers identify the page number, especially for long spreadsheets.
FAQ
Here are some common questions about printing excel without getting cut off:
Question 1: Why does my excel spreadsheet get cut off when printed?
There are several reasons why an excel spreadsheet gets cut off when printed. It can be due to the wrong size or orientation of the spreadsheet, incorrect print area, or incorrect margins. Adjusting these factors can help avoid getting cut off.
Question 2: How do I make my printed spreadsheet look neat?
To make your printed spreadsheet look neat, you can use gridlines to define cells, use headers and footers to add relevant information, and adjust the font size to make it readable. You can also choose a simple and clean design for your spreadsheet to make it look professional.
Conclusion
Printing excel spreadsheet without getting cut off can be a challenge, but by following the steps above and applying the tips, you can have a presentable and organized output. Always preview your spreadsheet before printing to avoid errors and mistakes.
