Excel Print Setup Tips

Setting up perfect printing for my models has always been a challenge to me. There are several elements of a perfect setup: 1. Consistent footer and header across every sheet 2. Consistent scale across every sheet 3. Pages aren't being cut off at awkward spots (adjusting manually would affect scale and thus break #2)

What are your tips for having a perfect printing setup for your models?

10 Comments
 
Best Response

I'll just comment on all your formatting posts, shall I. #theraputicformatting

  1. Format one sheet the way you'd like it re: headers and footers. Then, while on that sheet, hold down shift and select the other sheets you'd like to make consistent. Hit Alt + P S P then Enter. Should apply all print settings (not just the Header and Footers) from the first-selected sheet.
  2. This one is simpler. First, ensure formatting (font sizes, etc.) is consistent across sheets. Find the sheet with the widest content on it. Scale your print area to fit all columns. Then, click the dropdown box and hit Custom Scaling Options. There's an option (unchecked at the moment) that says Adjust to x% Normal Size. Have all sheet Custom Scaled to that % and everything should print consistently-sized.
  3. This is more of a manual process, unfortunately. However, if you start by setting your print area with Alt P R S and then Alt W I to figure out what you're viewing, you can manipulate it pretty easily to have it print properly. Sometimes you're going to have to adjust print ranges for title rows at the bottom of pages, etc., but such is life. There are macros that can fix this, I believe, but I've never used them. Maybe someone else will be able to help.
Maximum effort.
 

If the content within a cell is too many lines long, make sure to click the 'wrap text' option. This allows the cell size to automatically enlarge. This will make it easier for those to see all of the text inside the box.

Double clicking on the top most line between two columns will snap to auto-fit the column.

For spreadsheets with many rows and columns, it is possible to repeat the column header and row headers across multiple sheets.

 

I usually just try to fit all columns to one page and set it to portrait. I think that as long as you fit all columns on a page and the rows print on back or next page that it looks fine (as there are usually way too many rows to fit on one sheet anyways). Then just save those settings in print options. Not sure if that helps or is relevant to how you need to format your stuff.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 

Anihilist is right, the key is not trying to fit the whole model on one page but fitting the columns onto the page width and letting the rows flow to as many pages as needed to make it readable, making sure to repeat any header rows and zoom as needed. You can also decrease your margins. Also, best to structure your model as you're making it so that it will fit a good print area, instead of thinking about print area when everything is done.

 
Valk

Assuming you're using Excel 07/10:
Set two print areas, each containing 6 names. In 'Print Titles' (under Page Setup) enter the header column into "Columns to repeat at left". That should do the trick

Yep do this. Then insert a page break and place it between the two middle companies. You may also want to insert a black column in between the two to keep the spacing consistent.

This to all my hatin' folks seeing me getting guac right now..
 

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