Ingrid set up her worksheet just the way she wanted, and then defined two non-contiguous areas on the worksheet as her print area. She first selected A1:C5, then held down the Ctrl key as she selected E3:G5. This selection was then defined as the print area. When Ingrid printed the worksheet, each of the selected ranges (A1:C5 and E3:G5) printed, but they printed on separate sheets of paper. Ingrid was hoping to get them on a single sheet of paper.
This happens because Excel automatically prints separate ranges on separate sheets of paper; there is no way to configure Excel to do this printing differently. There are a couple of things you can try as workarounds, however.
First, you could print multiple pages per sheet of paper. Follow these steps:
The result, for most printers, is that Excel combines two printed pages on a single sheet of paper. It does this by reducing the size of each of the two pages and printing them in landscape mode on the page. If you cannot find a control that allows you to specify multiple pages per sheet (step 5), it may be that your printer driver doesn't offer this capability. In that case you won't be able to use this workaround and will have to try the next one.
The next solution involves simply creating a "print" worksheet. This sheet can contain references to the original data ranges, combining them on a single worksheet. You can then print the consolidation worksheet, as it will contain only the information you want sent to the printer.
A third option involves using the Camera tool. This tool allows you to capture dynamic "pictures" of different areas of your worksheet. The Camera tool is not available, by default, on any of Excel's ribbons. Instead, you need to add it to the Quick Access Toolbar:
Figure 1. The Quick Access Toolbar option sin the Excel Options dialog box.
You are now ready to use the Camera tool. Follow these steps:
Now you can manipulate the two pictures the same as you would any other graphic—stretch, resize, crop, or move them; whatever. The picture is not really a picture, however, even though it behaves as one. Instead, it is dynamic, meaning that if the contents of the original ranges are changed, then what is shown in the picture changes, as well. You can also print the worksheet containing the camera pictures, and they will appear on a single page.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (8189) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Multiple Print Areas on a Single Printed Page.
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2016-04-25 10:32:39
John
Phil, it sounds like you want to print varying formats on separate sheets of paper. I think your best bet is to create separate "print" worksheets (as suggested above) for each of your print ranges that require print formatting different from the main worksheet.
If you want to print multiple worksheets or print areas on a single sheet of paper, consider passing the same sheet of paper through your printer multiple times.
2015-10-30 17:46:37
Phil
This is helpful, but is it possible to format each of the selected page ranges differently, i.e. difference margins, different sized paper?
Thanks.
2013-09-26 05:11:26
Tony
I didn't know about the Camera Tool either - just tried it - though it seems to work only with a range of contiguous cells. If your range spans any hidden rows or columns it won't work.
2013-09-24 11:13:40
Jennifer Thomas
Cool tip on the camera tool - I didn't know about that one! Thanks.
2013-09-23 05:29:08
Duncan
Following on from Brent's idea, you could then save the result as a Custom View (see View tab) so that you can repeat it easily.
2013-09-23 03:50:25
Wendy
That was my first thought, Brent. Thank you
2013-09-22 23:12:47
Brent Nielsen
You can also hide the rows in between which fools Excel into thinking that the print area is continuous. This way when you set the print area it treats it all as one single print area. Takes a second to hide the rows and then once you complete the print you can unhide them again.
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