When preparing a Google Sheet for printing, you might want to focus only on a specific portion of your data. This is where understanding how to change the print area comes in handy. By defining a custom print area, you can control exactly what gets printed, excluding unnecessary rows, columns, or headers.
Overview
This guide will walk you through the steps of changing the print area in Google Sheets. We’ll cover:
Setting a Print Area
Learn how to select the desired range of cells to be printed.
Removing a Print Area
Discover how to revert to the default print behavior.
Printing with a Custom Print Area
Understand how to utilize your defined print area when printing your sheet.
How To Change Print Area In Google Sheets
Google Sheets allows you to customize the area of your spreadsheet that gets printed. This is helpful when you want to exclude unnecessary rows, columns, or even entire sheets from your printed output. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to change the print area in Google Sheets: (See Also: How To Order Rows In Google Sheets)
Selecting Your Print Area
The first step is to identify the specific range of cells you want to include in your print area. This could be a single cell, a group of cells, or an entire sheet.
Using the “Print Area” Feature
1. Click on the “File” menu in the top-left corner of your Google Sheets window.
2. Select “Print Setup” from the dropdown menu.
3. In the “Print Setup” window, you’ll see a section labeled “Print area.”
4. Click on the “Set print area” button.
5. A small window will appear, allowing you to select the desired range of cells. You can either click and drag to highlight the area or manually enter the cell coordinates (e.g., A1:B10).
6. Click “OK” to confirm your selection.
Alternative Methods
Besides using the “Print Area” feature, you can also define your print area using formulas. This is useful if you want your print area to dynamically adjust based on the data in your spreadsheet. To do this:
- In an empty cell, type the following formula: =PRINT_AREA()
- This formula will return the current print area. You can then modify the formula to define a different range of cells.
Previewing Your Print Output
Before printing, it’s always a good idea to preview your output. This allows you to check if the print area is set correctly and to make any necessary adjustments. To preview your print output: (See Also: How To Import Google Sheets)
- Click on the “File” menu and select “Print Preview.”
- This will open a new window displaying a simulated print of your spreadsheet.
Key Points to Remember
- The print area is separate from the visible area of your spreadsheet. You can scroll through your spreadsheet even if certain cells are not included in the print area.
- You can change the print area at any time before printing.
- Using formulas to define your print area can be helpful for dynamic print layouts.
Recap
This article provided a comprehensive guide on how to change the print area in Google Sheets. We covered the steps involved in selecting your desired print area, using the “Print Area” feature, exploring alternative methods with formulas, and previewing your print output. By following these steps, you can ensure that only the necessary information is printed, saving paper and time.
Frequently Asked Questions: Changing Print Area in Google Sheets
How do I set a custom print area in Google Sheets?
To set a custom print area, select the cells you want to include in the print area. Then, go to “File” > “Print settings” and click on “Custom area.” You can then define the specific range of cells you want to print.
Can I print only a portion of a sheet?
Yes, you can print only a portion of a sheet by setting a custom print area. This allows you to exclude unwanted sections like headers, footers, or large data sets you don’t need to print.
What happens if I don’t set a print area?
If you don’t set a print area, Google Sheets will print the entire visible sheet by default. This may include empty cells, hidden rows or columns, and other elements you don’t want printed.
How do I remove a custom print area?
To remove a custom print area, go to “File” > “Print settings” and click on “Custom area.” Then, click on “Clear custom area” to revert to the default behavior of printing the entire visible sheet.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to access print settings?
Yes, you can press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Command + P (Mac) to quickly open the print settings dialog box, where you can manage your print area.