When it comes to creating spreadsheets with Excel, sometimes we end up with an extra page that we don’t need. These extra pages can make the file look disorganized, and it can be frustrating to all of sudden have a blank page show up when you’re printing or editing your Excel document. Luckily, there are ways to delete an extra page in Excel. In this blog post, we’ll go through several methods to delete an extra page in Excel, with detailed steps and pros and cons for each method. By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and tools to clean up your Excel file and make it look neat and tidy.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Delete An Extra Page in Excel
There are several reasons why you might want to delete an extra page in Excel. Firstly, it can make your file look messy and unorganized. When you have a blank page showing up unexpectedly, it can be distracting and make it harder to read your data. Secondly, having an extra page can lead to issues when printing. You don’t want to waste paper and ink on a page that doesn’t offer any valuable information. Lastly, an extra page can cause errors when working with formulas. For example, if you have a formula that references a certain range of cells, and your extra page adds more rows or columns to the file, that formula might not work as intended. All these reasons are why it is important to know how to delete an extra page in Excel.
Method 1: Page Break Preview
One way to delete an extra page in Excel is by using the Page Break Preview feature. This method allows you to see where the page breaks are in your file and adjust them accordingly.
Step 1: Open your Excel document and click on the "View" tab in the ribbon.
Step 2: Look for the "Workbook Views" section and click on "Page Break Preview".
Step 3: Your file will now be displayed in a Page Break Preview mode, where you can see how many pages your worksheet is divided into. Check to see if there is any empty space at the bottom of the last page, which might be causing an extra page to appear.
Step 4: If you see a dotted line that represents a page break, click on it, and you will see a small arrow. Drag the arrow to adjust the page break until you have the number of pages you want.
Step 5: You can also adjust the margin size and orientation of each page by clicking on "Margins" in the "Page Layout" tab. Make sure to adjust it, so your worksheet is a perfect fit on the page.
Pros:
– The Page Break Preview allows you to visualize the changes you’re making.
– You can adjust the margins and orientation to make your worksheet look just the way you want it.
Cons:
– If you need to adjust multiple page breaks, it can be a time-consuming process.
– If you are not familiar with the Page Break Preview feature, it might take some time to get used to.
Method 2: Adjust Print Area
Another way to delete an extra page in Excel is to adjust the print area. This method is useful when you only want to print a portion of your document, and often a small change in the print area can resolve any extra page issues.
Step 1: Open your Excel document and select the range of cells you want to print.
Step 2: Click on the "Page Setup" button in the "Page Layout" tab of the ribbon.
Step 3: In the "Page Setup" dialog box, select the "Print Area" tab.
Step 4: Click on the "Set Print Area" button to adjust the print area to your selected cells.
Step 5: If you want to preview your document before printing, click on "Print Preview" to make sure your document is printing correctly.
Pros:
– By adjusting the print area, you can prevent the printing of unwanted sections, which often cause extra pages.
– You can preview your document before printing, ensuring that it looks the way you want it to.
Cons:
– If you have a large worksheet, it can be challenging to select only the cells you want to print.
– Sometimes adjusting the print area is not enough to resolve an extra page issue.
Method 3: Hide Rows or Columns
If you have a large Excel file with a lot of data, sometimes the extra page occurs because there are hidden rows and columns. By unhiding them and making sure there is no extra data, we can eliminate the extra page issue.
Step 1: Open your Excel document and look for any hidden rows or columns. You can check for hidden rows by selecting the row above and below the suspected hidden row and then right-clicking and selecting "Unhide". To check for hidden columns, you can do the same by selecting the column on either side of the suspected hidden column.
Step 2: After you’ve unhidden any rows or columns, make sure to check that there is no data in the hidden cells. If there is data in those cells, copy it and place it somewhere else in your worksheet.
Pros:
– By unhiding hidden rows or columns, you can ensure that there is no extra data that could cause an extra page.
– Sometimes it is a simple solution to preventing an extra page issue.
Cons:
– If you have a lot of data and hidden rows or columns, it can be time-consuming to check each one for any hidden data.
– If you don’t know which rows or columns are hidden, this method may not be effective.
Method 4: Delete/Area
Another way to delete an extra page is to delete any unused/blank rows or columns. Excel automatically considers those that are not used in a worksheet when printing, and if you remove them, you will prevent any extra pages from appearing.
Step 1: Open your Excel document and scroll to the very end of the worksheet.
Step 2: Look for any blank rows or columns at the bottom or right edge of the worksheet.
Step 3: Right-click on the blank row or column and select "Delete".
Step 4: Save your changes and check if the extra page has been removed.
Pros:
– By removing blank rows or columns, you eliminate any chance of them being printed on a new page.
– This method is simple, effective, and only takes a few steps.
Cons:
– If you have a lot of data and want to keep those blank rows or columns, this method may not be ideal.
– If you are not familiar with how Excel handles blank rows/columns, it may be confusing.
What to Do If You Can’t Delete An Extra Page in Excel
Sometimes, no matter what method you try, deleting an extra page in Excel seems impossible. In those cases, there are a few things you can try to resolve the issue:
1. Use "Fit to Page" Option: In the Page Setup tab, select "Fit to Page" under the "Scaling" section. This will automatically size your worksheet to fit on one page, regardless of how many rows or columns it has.
2. Check Page Margins: Page margins are often the culprit for extra page issues. Check if your margins are set too large – this can cause Excel to think there’s more data than there is and create an extra page. Try reducing the margins and see if that resolves the issue.
3. Use Print Preview: Before printing, preview your document to see if there are any extra pages. Pay attention to the page break lines and adjust them accordingly by following the instructions above.
Bonus Tip
Here are a few bonus tips that can help make your Excel file look even better:
1. Use Freeze Panes: If you have a large worksheet and want to keep column or row headings visible, use the "Freeze Panes" feature. Select the cell below or to the right of the row or column headings you want to freeze, then click "View" and select "Freeze Panes".
2. Use Conditional Formatting: If you want to highlight specific data in your worksheet, use conditional formatting. Select the cells you want to format, then choose "Conditional Formatting" in the "Home" tab and select the formatting you want.
3. Use Graphs and Charts: If you want to create visual representations of your data, use Excel’s graph and chart features. Simply select the data you want to include, click on "Insert" in the ribbon, and choose the type of graph or chart you want to create.
5 FAQs
Q1: Why is there an extra page in my Excel document?
A: There could be several reasons why there’s an extra page in your Excel document, such as having hidden columns or rows, excess margin space, or page breaks occurring in the wrong place. Check the steps outlined in this article to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
Q2: Can I simply delete the extra page by clicking on it and pressing "Delete"?
A: Unfortunately, pressing "Delete" on an extra page doesn’t always work. You need to troubleshoot the underlying issue and use one of the methods outlined in this article to prevent the extra page from appearing.
Q3: Can I remove an extra page in Excel Online?
A: Yes, the steps outlined in this article are also applicable to Excel Online.
Q4: Can adjusting the print area cause an extra page?
A: In some cases, yes. Ensure that when you’re adjusting the print area, you’re selecting only the cells you wish to print.
Q5: Is there a way to delete multiple pages at once?
A: Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to delete multiple pages at once. However, by following the methods outlined in this article, you can adjust your worksheet and prevent those extra pages from appearing.
Final Thoughts
Having an extra page in an Excel document can be frustrating, but fortunately, there are many ways to resolve the issue. Whether you’re using the Page Break Preview mode or adjusting your print area, there’s a solution that will work for you. Plus, with the bonus tips outlined in this article, you’ll be able to make your Excel file look even better. If you’re struggling with extra pages, take the time to try out the methods outlined in this article – you’ll be able to clean up your Excel file in no time.