Save time & paper with print areas in Excel

Here is a very simple but effective tip: use print areas.

Oh.. but what is a print area?

Imagine looking at a report or dashboard worksheet. Now, that sheet also has few calculations, some extra stuff to the right of the report. When you print, you don’t need those extra elements. Just the report will do. This is where print areas can help.

When you set up a print area, Excel will print only the contents of print area. Nothing else.

How to set up print areas:

There are just 2 steps.

1. Select the range you want to print
2. Go to Page Layout > Print areas and click on “set print area”

Your print area is ready. Now when you print (or save as PDF) the worksheet, Excel will only print the contents of Print area you have set. This saves you a lot of time and paper.

Related: Learn more about printing in Excel

Do you use print areas?

I have been a fan of print areas ever since I learned about them few years ago. I use them on whenever there is a possibility of my workbooks getting printed.

What about you? Have you heard about print areas? How do you use them to simplify your work? Please share your tips in the comments section.