Using a Macro to Set a Print Range

Grahame has a cell (C7) that contains a range, such as B8:B207. Whenever the range changes in C7, he needs a way to change the print range to match what is in that cell. However, Grahame is unsure of how to set the print range within the macro code.

Setting a print range within a macro is quite easy; you can do it in this manner:

ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = "$A$1:$D$23"

Note that all you need to do is to assign to the PrintArea property a range that you want used for your print range. Thus, if cell C7 contains a range (like B8:B207), you could do it in this manner:

ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = Range("C7").Value

You can, if you desire, create an event handler that will change the print area every time that cell C7 is changed. To do so, just add this to the VBA module for the worksheet. (Just right-click the sheet tab and choose View Code, then add the macro there.)

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
    On Error Resume Next
    If Target.Address = "$C$7" Then
        ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = Target.Value
    End If
End Sub

The Worksheet_Change event handler is automatically run every time there is a change in the worksheet. If the cell being changed is C7, then the PrintArea property is updated to reflected whatever is in cell C7.

Even though Grahame asked for how to set the print range in a macro, it should be noted that you can automatically set the print range without using a macro.

1. Press Ctrl+F3. Excel displays the Name Manger dialog box.
2. Click New. Excel displays the New Name dialog box.
3. In the Name field, enter the following as a name: Print_Area
4. Using the Scope drop-down list, choose the worksheet that contains the cell (C7) that contains the print range.
5. In the Refers To field, enter the following formula: =INDIRECT(Sheet1!$C$7)
6. Click OK.

Now, anytime you print, the print range will be grabbed from whatever is in cell C7. Note that you should change the formula, in step 5, to use whatever sheet name you specified in step 4. (In place of the Sheet1 sheet used in the example.)

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