Excel Print Multiple Selections One Page: How-To

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes, you can print multiple, non-adjacent selections in Excel on a single page, but not directly with the built-in Print dialog. The standard method is to set each selection as a separate print area and then specify the print order, or to use a temporary hidden sheet to combine them. This article walks you through the exact steps, explains the limitations, and offers workarounds.

Why Excel Doesn’t Print Multiple Selections Directly

Excel’s Print dialog only allows one print area at a time. When you select multiple ranges (e.g., hold Ctrl and click different cells) and press Ctrl+P, Excel ignores the non-contiguous selection and prints only the active sheet’s used range or the current print area. This is by designâ€”the print engine treats the selection as a single block. The workaround is to define multiple print areas in the Page Setup dialog, which Excel then prints as separate pages, or to combine the ranges into a single printable sheet.

Method 1: Set Multiple Print Areas (Prints on Separate Pages)

If you don’t mind each selection printing on its own page, you can use the built-in print areas feature. This is the simplest approach and works for most users.

Select the first range you want to print.
Go to the Page Layout tab, click Print Area, and choose Set Print Area.
Hold Ctrl and select the next range.
Again go to Print Area and choose Add to Print Area.
Repeat for each additional range.
Press Ctrl+P to open the Print dialog. Under Settings, choose Print Entire Workbook (or just leave it on Print Active Sheets â€“ it will print all defined print areas).

Each print area will print on its own page. To force them onto one page, you would need to adjust scaling (e.g., fit to 1 page wide by 1 page tall) per area, but that only works if the combined content fits on one page.

Method 2: Combine Selections on a Temporary Sheet (Prints on One Page)

To print multiple selections on a single page, you need to copy them into a new sheet and arrange them side by side or stacked. This is the only reliable way to get a single-page output.

Create a new worksheet (e.g., right-click a tab â†’ Insert â†’ Worksheet).
Copy the first selection (Ctrl+C), go to the new sheet, click a cell, and paste (Ctrl+V).
Copy the second selection, and paste it below or to the right of the first, leaving a blank column/row for separation.
Repeat for all selections.
Go to Page Layout â†’ Print Area â†’ Set Print Area for the combined range.
In the Print dialog, set Scaling to Fit Sheet on One Page.

This method gives you full control over layout. You can also use the Camera tool (older versions) to create live images of ranges, but the copy-paste method is simpler and works in all versions.

How to Choose the Right Method

Decide based on your goal:

If you need each selection on its own page (e.g., separate tables for different departments), use multiple print areas.
If you need all selections on one page (e.g., a summary report), use the copy-paste method.
If you need to print the same selection repeatedly, consider using a macro or a named range.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem: Print areas disappear after saving. They are saved with the workbook, but if you clear them accidentally, re-set them. Check Page Layout â†’ Print Area â†’ Clear Print Area if you want to reset.

Problem: The print preview shows blank pages. This often happens when you have a print area that includes empty cells. Adjust the print area to exclude blanks.

Problem: Scaling to one page cuts off content. Use Fit Sheet on One Page and then check the preview. If it’s too small, reduce the number of selections or adjust margins.

Comparing with Google Sheets

Google Sheets has a similar limitation. It also only prints one print area at a time. The workaround is the same: copy ranges to a new sheet. However, Google Sheets has a Set print area option under Print (File â†’ Print â†’ Set custom print area), but it only allows one range. So the copy-paste method is universal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print non-adjacent columns on one page without copying? No, not directly. The only way is to copy them to a new sheet or use a macro that does it programmatically.

Does the print area feature work in Excel for Mac? Yes, the steps are similar. On Mac, go to Page Layout â†’ Print Area â†’ Set Print Area and Add to Print Area.

Why does my print preview show multiple pages even though I set fit to one page? The fit-to-one-page scaling applies only to the current print area. If you have multiple print areas, each is scaled separately. To get one page, combine them first.

Can I use a macro to print multiple selections on one page? Yes, you can write a VBA macro that copies ranges to a temporary sheet, sets the print area, prints, and then deletes the sheet. This is a more advanced solution but automates the process.

Is there a way to print a selection and the rest of the sheet on the same page? If the selection is within the sheet, you can set the print area to include both the selection and the surrounding cells, but if they are far apart, they will not fit on one page unless you scale down dramatically.

What if I want to print multiple selections but with different page orientations? You would need to print them separately, as a single print area cannot have mixed orientations.

Final Tips

Always use Print Preview before printing to avoid wasting paper. If you frequently need to print the same combination, save the combined sheet as a template. Remember that the copy-paste method is the most reliable for single-page output, and it works across all Excel versions.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.