Printing Excel columns is a straightforward task that involves a few steps. First, select the columns you want to print. Next, adjust the page layout settings to ensure the columns fit on the page. Then, preview your document to make sure everything looks right. Finally, send your document to the printer. After completing these steps, you’ll have a hard copy of your Excel columns ready for whatever you need.
After you complete the action of printing your Excel columns, you’ll have a physical copy of your spreadsheet data. This can be useful for meetings, presentations, or simply for your own records. It allows you to share your data without the need for electronic devices or access to the original file.
Introduction
Ever been in a situation where you needed a hard copy of your Excel spreadsheet, but only specific columns? Whether it’s for a presentation, a meeting, or just for filing purposes, knowing how to print Excel columns can come in quite handy. Excel is a powerful tool used by businesses, students, and individuals for organizing data. It’s one of the most popular spreadsheet applications available, and for a good reason.
Printing in Excel can be a bit tricky, especially when you want to print specific columns and not the entire sheet. This article is for anyone who’s faced the challenge of printing Excel columns and ended up with unwanted pages or incomplete data. You might be an office worker, a manager, or a student; it doesn’t matter. As long as you need to get those columns out of your computer and onto paper, you’re in the right place.
How to Print Excel Columns Step by Step Tutorial
Let’s dive right into how you can print those pesky columns without all the fuss.
Step 1: Select the Columns You Want to Print
Click on the header of the first column you want to print, then while holding down the ‘Ctrl’ key, click on the headers of any other columns you wish to include.
When you select multiple columns, Excel understands that these are the parts of the spreadsheet you want to focus on. Be sure you have all the columns you need selected before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Adjust Page Layout Settings
Go to ‘Page Layout’ tab, click on ‘Print Area’ and select ‘Set Print Area’. This will ensure that only the selected columns will be printed.
The ‘Page Layout’ settings are crucial in making sure that your printout looks exactly the way you want it to. You can also adjust other settings such as margins and orientation here.
Step 3: Preview Your Document
Click on ‘File’, then ‘Print’ to see a preview of your document. This allows you to see exactly what your printed columns will look like.
The preview feature is incredibly useful for catching any issues before they become permanent on paper. Pay attention to the way your columns are laid out, and make sure everything is readable.
Step 4: Print Your Document
After ensuring everything looks correct in the preview, select your printer, and click ‘Print’.
And voilà ! Your selected Excel columns should now be printed out just as you wanted.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Saves Paper | By printing only the columns you need, you’re not wasting paper on unnecessary information. |
| Increases Readability | A focused printout means that there’s less clutter, making the data easier to read and understand. |
| Saves Time | Instead of printing the whole spreadsheet and then manually removing the parts you don’t need, printing only the selected columns is much more efficient. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Potential for Errors | If you’re not careful with your selection, you might miss out on important columns or include unnecessary ones. |
| Formatting Issues | Sometimes, the printed result might not look exactly as it does on the screen, requiring additional adjustments. |
| Printer Limitations | If your printer isn’t capable of printing the layout you want, you might need to take extra steps to format your document correctly. |
Additional Information
Printing Excel columns might seem like a straightforward task, but it can sometimes be a little more complex than it appears. For instance, if you’re working with a large dataset, you might need to adjust the scaling of your printout to ensure that everything fits on one page. This can be done through the ‘Page Layout’ tab under ‘Scale to Fit’.
Another tip is to consider the print quality. If you’re printing graphs or charts along with your columns, make sure your printer’s settings are adjusted for the best quality to ensure clarity.
Also, don’t forget about the header rows! If you want your printed columns to include the headers for reference, you need to set these as print titles. This can be done under ‘Page Layout’ > ‘Print Titles’.
Finally, remember that the more you familiarize yourself with Excel’s printing options, the better your printouts will become. Take the time to explore and experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.
Summary
- Select the columns you want to print.
- Adjust page layout settings.
- Preview your document.
- Print your document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print non-adjacent columns?
Yes, you can. Just hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and click on each column header you want to print.
What if my columns are too wide for the paper?
You can adjust the scaling under ‘Page Layout’ > ‘Scale to Fit’, or change the paper size or orientation.
How do I print the column headers on every page?
Go to ‘Page Layout’ > ‘Print Titles’, and set your header rows under ‘Rows to repeat at top’.
Can I save my print settings for future use?
Absolutely, you can save your Excel file with the print settings, and they’ll be retained the next time you open it.
Can I print columns to PDF instead of a printer?
Yes, in the ‘Print’ settings, choose ‘Microsoft Print to PDF’ as your printer.
Conclusion
Printing specific columns in Excel is a huge time saver and extremely beneficial for presenting clear and concise data. Whether you’re in the office, in a classroom, or working from home, mastering this skill can greatly enhance your productivity.
Remember to carefully select the columns, adjust the page layout, preview, and finally print for the best results. With these steps in mind, say goodbye to frustration and hello to efficiency the next time you need to print Excel columns.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.