Why has excel started creating multiple PDF files instead of a single file when print "active worksheets" is chosen and multiple sheets are active?

Question

Excel Print to PDF has started creating 2 files for 1 print job when "print active sheets" is chosen and more than 1 sheet is active. This is a new behaviour for excel. Previously I was able to print a single PDF file from multiple worksheets in a workbook. Regardless of whether you choose to print to Adobe PDF or Microsoft PDF the same scenario.  What has caused this and is there anything that can be done on an end-user level to rectify. Has this been identified as an issue by others and is it on the roadmap for Fixing in the next round of product updates. I am an Office365 Pro Plus User (Version 2002) in a Windows 10 Education Environment.

Answer 1

Hi Sarjg25,

Thanks for posting here. After seeing your post we did some tests but were unable to reproduce the issue, using Excel(2002) and Microsoft Print to PDF. However, we did some searches and found these two articles: Printing an entire Excel workbook to a single PDF file.

How to fix Excel Printing a workbook to multiple PDF files.

It turns out that the problem happens because of different print quality for various pages, and then we could repro the issue you met after we create worksheets in different print quality and tried to print.

As a workaround, you could right-click on one sheet->Select All Sheets. Then go to Page Setup and select a consistent Print quality.

Try printing again then see the result. Additionally, it's suggested to modify Paper size and Print quality for each sheet manually, since it would keep your design.

If you need further assistance or have any experience to share, feel free to post back. We expect your updates.

Have a nice day: )

Best regards,

Oliver

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Answer 2

Hi Sarjg25,

Have you received the previous message and tried the suggestions?

If you need further assistance or have any experience to share, feel free to post back.

Best regards,

Oliver

Answer 3

Thanks Oliver. That has fixed my issue, DPI for the worksheets in question were different. I have never looked or adjusted this in the past so will be sure to pay attention in the future.

Thank-you Sarjg25

Answer 4

Hi Sarjg25,

Glad to hear the problem's gone now. Normally on our computer's screen, files in different DPI do not display in an obvious distinction, but the printing outcome may differ a lot depending on the page size.

In future, if you need assistance or have any experience to share, your posting is always welcome here in the community.

Have a nice day: )

Best regards,

Oliver