Printing on legal paper in Excel 2010 is a straightforward process. To do it, you need to access the Page Layout tab, adjust the page setup settings, select the legal paper size, and print. Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll have your Excel document printed on legal-sized paper, ready for whatever you need it for.
After completing the action, your document will be printed on a larger sheet of paper, which is 8.5 by 14 inches, compared to the standard letter size. This allows for more content to be printed on a single page, which can be crucial for certain documents like legal contracts or spreadsheets with lots of data.
Introduction
Have you ever had an Excel spreadsheet that just wouldn’t fit on standard letter-sized paper? Maybe it was a contract, a large table of financial data, or something else that needed more space. That’s where printing on legal paper comes in handy. Legal paper is a bit longer than the regular letter size, giving you that extra bit of room to ensure your document looks its best without having to shrink your font size and cram everything in. This is particularly important for professionals like lawyers, accountants, or anyone who deals with larger documents that need to be clear and legible.
Printing on legal paper might sound a bit daunting, especially if you’re not familiar with Excel 2010’s myriad of options and settings. But fear not! This guide is here to walk you through the process step by step. Whether you’re using Excel 2010 for work or personal projects, knowing how to print on legal paper is a useful skill that can save you time and make your documents look more professional. Plus, it’s always good to have another trick up your sleeve when it comes to handling software like Excel.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Print on Legal Paper in Excel 2010
Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what we’re aiming to achieve here. We’ll be adjusting the settings in Excel 2010 so that your document prints out on legal-sized paper, which is 8.5 by 14 inches.
Step 1: Open the Page Layout Tab
Access the Page Layout tab in the Excel ribbon.
This tab is where you’ll find all the settings related to the layout and printing of your Excel document. It’s your one-stop-shop for making sure your document prints just the way you want it.
Step 2: Click on Page Setup
Select the Page Setup dialogue box launcher in the bottom-right corner of the Page Setup group.
This small icon opens a new window that offers more detailed options for your document’s page setup. Think of it as the control center for how your document will look on paper.
Step 3: Select Legal Paper Size
In the Page tab of the Page Setup dialogue box, choose ‘Legal’ from the Paper Size dropdown menu.
By selecting ‘Legal’, you’re telling Excel that you want to use the larger paper size. This ensures that your printout uses the entire space of the legal-sized paper.
Step 4: Print Your Document
Click ‘OK’ to close the Page Setup dialogue box, and then go to the File tab, select ‘Print’, and finally, hit the ‘Print’ button to print your document.
After setting up the correct paper size, you’re ready to print. Just make sure your printer is loaded with legal-sized paper, and you’re all set!
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| More space for content | Legal paper provides more vertical space, meaning you can fit more rows of data or text on a single page without shrinking everything down. |
| Professional appearance | Documents printed on legal paper can look more official and professional, which is especially important for legal documents, contracts, or detailed reports. |
| Avoids clutter | By using the extra space on legal paper, you can avoid a cluttered and cramped appearance in your documents, making them easier to read and understand. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Requires legal paper | Not all printers have legal-sized paper readily available, which means you might need to purchase it separately. |
| Printer settings | Some printers may not automatically recognize the legal paper size, requiring you to adjust the printer settings manually. |
| Not always necessary | For many documents, standard letter size is sufficient, meaning printing on legal paper might not be necessary and could be seen as a waste of paper and resources. |
Additional Information
While the steps above should cover the basics of printing on legal paper in Excel 2010, there are a few extra things to keep in mind. First, check your printer’s paper tray to see if it can accommodate legal-sized paper. Some printers have adjustable trays, while others might require manual feeding of legal-sized paper.
Second, consider the orientation of your document. Legal paper is longer than it is wide, so if your spreadsheet is wider than it is tall, you might want to change the orientation to landscape. This can be done in the Page Layout tab under the Orientation option.
Lastly, remember that printing on legal paper can be more costly, both in terms of paper prices and ink usage. Make sure you really need that extra space before choosing to print on legal-sized paper. Also, it’s always a good idea to preview your document before printing. Excel 2010 has a handy ‘Print Preview’ feature that can save you paper, ink, and frustration.
Summary
- Open the Page Layout Tab
- Click on Page Setup
- Select Legal Paper Size
- Print Your Document
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print my Excel document on legal paper if my printer doesn’t have a legal paper tray?
Yes, you can. You’ll need to manually feed the legal-sized paper into your printer, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
What if my Excel document still doesn’t fit on legal paper?
If your document is still too large, you might need to adjust the scale of your printout. This can also be done in the Page Layout tab, under the Scale to Fit group.
How do I save my page settings for future use?
After adjusting your page setup, you can save these settings as a custom print setting. This way, you won’t have to go through the same steps every time you want to print on legal paper.
Why would I need to print on legal paper instead of letter size?
Legal paper is useful for documents that require more length than width, like legal documents, detailed spreadsheets, or anything where you need extra vertical space.
Will printing on legal paper affect the quality of my Excel document?
No, the quality of your document will not be affected by the size of the paper. However, you should ensure your printer’s quality settings are adjusted to your preference.
Conclusion
Printing on legal paper in Excel 2010 can seem a touch tricky at first glance, but it’s really not that complicated. By following a few simple steps, you can make sure your important documents have the space they need to be clear and impactful.
Whether you’re a legal professional, a business owner, or just someone who likes their spreadsheets to have a little extra room, knowing how to print on legal paper is a skill that can make your day-to-day tasks just that bit easier. So go ahead, give it a try, and see how much of a difference a few extra inches can make!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.