Environment
- OS: Windows 10 Pro (Version: 20H2)
- Software: Microsoft Excel (Version: 2108)
Background
I was struggling with an issue where the print size and layout changed when converting Excel data to PDF. I could not save the document exactly as it appeared on the screen, and manually adjusting it every time was tedious. Therefore, I learned how to correctly align the size.
Solution: Set Print Scale in Scaling Options
In Excel, you can correct the size and layout for PDF output by adjusting the “Scaling” options in the print settings.
Operating Procedure
- Click the File tab at the top of the Excel screen.
- Select Print from the left menu.
- Click the dropdown menu that says No Scaling (or similar) on the Print screen.
- Select Custom Scaling Options… at the bottom of the menu.
- The Scaling settings will appear in the center.
- Select Adjust to: and specify your desired percentage (e.g., 100% normal size).
This allows you to save the PDF with a size close to what you see in Excel.
Key Points Summary
- If you specify 100%, the document will be output at full size.
- You can prevent margin issues and page misalignment by fine-tuning the percentage as needed.
- Settings like “Fit Sheet on One Page” can be used, but be careful as they often cause unintended shrinking.
Supplement: Why does the size change?
Although I could not identify the specific cause this time, Excel automatically applies scaling according to the printer settings. This often causes a difference between the on-screen appearance and the print result.
Size changes are particularly likely to occur due to:
- Differences in default printers
- Misalignment of page settings
- Automatic adjustment of margins
Summary
If the size changes when converting to PDF in Excel, follow this flow:
File → Print → Scaling → Custom Scaling Options → Adjust to: 100%
By adjusting with this procedure, you can output a PDF while maintaining the size exactly as it looks.
