Set a Print Area in Excel: print only the part you want

Excel prints everything on the sheet by default — scratch notes, helper columns, all of it. A print area tells it which cells matter.

Steps

1. Select the cells to print, e.g. A1:F40.
2. Page Layout › Print Area › Set Print Area.
3. Press Ctrl + P. The preview shows only your selection.

Fit it on one page

In the print preview, bottom of the settings list: change No Scaling to Fit Sheet on One Page. For a wide table choose Fit All Columns on One Page and switch to Landscape.

Repeat the heading row on every page

1. Page Layout › Print Titles.
2. Click in Rows to repeat at top, then click row 1. OK.

Print gridlines

Page Layout › under Gridlines tick Print.

Clear the print area

Page Layout › Print Area › Clear Print Area. Excel goes back to printing everything.

Check it worked

Ctrl + P and use the page arrows at the bottom of the preview. Every page should show your headings; nothing outside the area appears.

Common mistakes

A blank page prints. A stray value far away (say Z500) extends the print. Set a print area, or delete the stray cell.

Print area is saved with the file — set it once, it stays until you clear it.