how to clear print area

Question

I can't clear print area. The buttons don't work and neither does gong to the Name manager.

Answer 1

Hi, Val Carlson

It sounds like the worksheet may be grouped or protected, which can prevent Excel from changing the print area.

First, check the sheet tabs at the bottom. If several tabs are highlighted, right-click any highlighted tab and select Ungroup Sheets. Then select the affected sheet and try Page Layout > Print Area > Clear Print Area again. Clearing it should remove every print area defined on that worksheet.

If it still does nothing, try these steps:

Select Review > Unprotect Sheet if that option is available.

Select Page Layout > Breaks > Reset All Page Breaks.

Save the workbook under a new name, close Excel, and reopen the new copy.

Press Ctrl+P, open the first dropdown under Settings, and select Ignore Print Area. This lets you print the whole sheet even if the stored print area cannot be removed.

If this happens only in that workbook, use File > Open > Browse, select the file, select the arrow beside Open, and choose Open and Repair.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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Answer 2

Hi @Val Carlson

generally print area clear is Page Layout → Print Area → Clear Print Area

if not working try below methods as well.

• View → Page Break Preview → Reset All Page Breaks
• View → Normal

Thanks.