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Printout Doesn't Match Display for Some Cells

Summary: Have you ever noticed that when you print something, there are times that what is printed doesn't exactly match what you see on the screen. This can be a problem for accurately formatting worksheets, and the cause is rooted in the way that Excel displays information. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

Kathy developed a protected worksheet that allows users to input data into certain cells. The data in some of the input cells shows fine in the worksheet; the contents appear on a single line. When viewing the worksheet in Print Preview or printing the worksheet, however, the text that doesn't wrap on the screen wraps in the printout. Kathy was wondering how to make sure that the printout matches what she sees when she looks at the worksheet on the screen.

Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done to correct this situation; Excel isn't terribly strong in the "what you see is what you get" department. This is very frustrating for many users; the problem most likely boils down to the difference between screen and printer resolution. When Excel calculates column width for the screen, there is enough room for the text on a single line, but when it calculates column width for the printer (at a different resolution than the screen), there is not enough room. The only solution is to widen the offending column, slightly, on the screen.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2785) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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