How to Print Only Certain Columns in Excel

As an expert in Microsoft Excel, I often get asked how to print only certain columns in Excel. This is a useful skill to have as it saves time and paper by ensuring that unnecessary columns are not printed. Fortunately, Excel provides several ways to accomplish this task, all of which are simple and straightforward. In this blog post, I will demonstrate two methods you can use to print only certain columns in Excel.

Method 1: Use the Print Preview Option

The first method to print only certain columns in Excel is by using the Print Preview option. This method is simple and straightforward and involves previewing the page before printing to ensure that only the necessary columns are printed.

Step 1: Select the Data to Print

The first step is to select the data you want to print. Click and drag your mouse to select only the columns you want to print.

Step 2: Open Print Preview

Click on the “File” tab and select “Print”. This will open the Print Preview window where you can see how the page will look when printed.

Step 3: Select the Print Options

Under the Settings section, click on the drop-down menu next to “Print All Sheets” and select “Print Selection”. This will ensure that only the selected columns are printed.

Step 4: Print the Page

Click on the “Print” button to print the page with only the selected columns.

Method 2: Hide Columns Before Printing

The second method to print only certain columns in Excel is by hiding the columns you don’t want to print before printing. This method is useful if you want to print the entire worksheet but do not want certain columns to appear in the printout.

Step 1: Select the Columns to Hide

Click on the column letter to select the entire column. To select multiple columns, hold down the “Ctrl” key while clicking on the column letters.

Step 2: Hide the Columns

Right-click on any of the selected columns and click on “Hide”. This will hide the selected columns from the worksheet.

Step 3: Open Print Preview

Click on the “File” tab and select “Print”. This will open the Print Preview window where you can see how the page will look when printed.

Step 4: Print the Page

Click on the “Print” button to print the page without the hidden columns.

There you have it! Two simple methods to print only certain columns in Excel. By using these methods, you can save time, paper, and ink by ensuring that only the necessary information is printed. Happy printing!

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks you can use to print only certain columns in Excel:

Tip #1: Use the Print Area Feature

The Print Area feature allows you to select a specific range of cells to print. To use this feature, select the range of cells you want to print, click on the “Page Layout” tab, and select “Print Area” from the “Page Setup” group. Then, click on “Set Print Area” to save the selection. When you print the worksheet, only the selected range will be printed.

Tip #2: Adjust the Column Width

If your columns are too wide and do not fit on the page, you can adjust the column width to make them narrower. To do this, click on the column letter to select the column you want to adjust, move the mouse to the right edge of the column header until you see a double-headed arrow, click and drag the edge of the column header to make the column narrower. You can also right-click on the column letter and select “Column Width” from the menu to specify a specific width for the column.

Tip #3: Use Page Breaks to Control Printing

If the data you want to print spans multiple pages, you can use page breaks to control how the data is printed. To do this, click on the cell below the row you want to start on the next page and press “Ctrl+Shift+Enter”. This will insert a manual page break and start the data on the next page. You can also move the page break by clicking on the “View” tab, selecting “Page Break Preview”, and dragging the blue lines to the desired location.

Printing only certain columns in Excel is a useful skill to have and can save you time and paper. By using the methods and tips outlined in this blog post, you can print only the necessary columns and ensure that your printed documents are easy to read and well-organized. Happy printing!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about printing only certain columns in Excel:

Q: Can I print non-contiguous columns?

A: Yes. To print non-contiguous columns, hold down the “Ctrl” key while clicking on the column letters to select multiple columns.

Q: Can I print only certain rows in Excel?

A: Yes. To print only certain rows, select the data you want to print and then click on the “File” tab, select “Print”, and choose the “Print Selection” option from the Settings section. This will print only the selected rows and columns.

Q: Can I print certain columns on every page?

A: Yes. To print certain columns on every page, click on the “Page Layout” tab, select “Print Titles” from the “Page Setup” group, and then select the columns you want to repeat on every page under “Rows to repeat at top” and/or “Columns to repeat at left”.

Q: How can I preview how the page will look when printed?

A: To preview how the page will look when printed, click on the “File” tab and select “Print”. This will open the Print Preview window where you can see how the page will look when printed.

Q: Can I save my print settings for future use?

A: Yes. To save your print settings for future use, click on the “File” tab and select “Save As”. Under the “Save as type” dropdown menu, select “Excel Template”. This will save your current print settings as a template that you can use in the future.