Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Setting Header/Footer Margins.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 12, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
When you create an Excel worksheet, you have the ability to change the margins used when the information in the worksheet is printed. This is done by choosing Page Setup from the File menu, then making adjustments on the Margins tab. The default left and right margin values are .75 inches, unless you change them as described in other issues of ExcelTips.
When you change the left and right margin values, and even if you change the default left and right margin values, there is no way to modify the left and right margins used by Excel to print headers and footers. These are apparently hard-wired to print at .75 inches, regardless of the settings you make within the Page Setup dialog box. They cannot even be changed via VBA.
Further information on this issue can be found in Microsoft's Knowledge Base:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/124751
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2191) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Setting Header/Footer Margins.
Solve Real Business Problems Master business modeling and analysis techniques with Excel and transform data into bottom-line results. This hands-on, scenario-focused guide shows you how to use the latest Excel tools to integrate data from multiple tables. Check out Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling today!
Print areas are a great way to define what, exactly, you want to print from a worksheet. When you copy worksheets, the ...
Discover MoreExcel allows you to specify an area of your worksheet that should be printed. Here's how to "lock" that area so it cannot ...
Discover MoreGot just a small amount of worksheet data to print out? It might look better on the printed page if you center it. Excel ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
Comments