Excel document not printing according to margin settings

Question

Excel document not printing according to margin settings

Scott G 0

I have a document that I have used for a number of years and update every couple of months. Until recently, I have been able to print it correctly.

It still shows the correct margins in Print Preview but when it's printed, the left margin is right up against the page edge so the document is not centered.

I've tried everything suggested online and nothing works.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

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1 answer

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Answer 1

John Jefferson Doyon 90,560 Independent Advisor

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

Does this happen only with this Excel file, or with any Excel file you print?

What printer model are you using, and are you printing directly to the printer or through “Microsoft Print to PDF” first?

Also, in Excel, please check Page Layout > Size and confirm the paper size matches the printer paper size, such as Letter or A4. Then check File > Print > Scaling and try No Scaling or Fit Sheet on One Page to see if the output changes.

As a test, try printing the same sheet to Microsoft Print to PDF. If the PDF margins look correct, then the issue is likely with the printer driver or printer settings.

Scott G 0 Reputation points

2026-07-10T16:57:44.7933333+00:00
Hi, John,

Thanks for your quick response! Here are the answers to your questions:

It happened on a number of Excel documents that I tried. It also happened with a Word document.

My printer is HP DeskJet 2700 All-in-One Printer series with Auto Updates through HP Smart. I was printing directly to the printer.

I checked all Page Layout settings

I printed the sheet to Microsoft Print to PDF and the document looked right under Print Preview but still printed with no margin on the left side.

So I guess that means it is a printer driver or settings problem. How do I check that?

Thanks again!

Scott
Scott G 0 Reputation points

2026-07-10T17:00:09.59+00:00
Hi, John,

Thanks for your quick response! Here are the answers to your questions:

It happened on a number of Excel documents that I tried. It also happened with a Word document.

My printer is HP DeskJet 2700 All-in-One Printer series with Auto Updates through HP Smart. I was printing directly to the printer.

I checked all Page Layout settings

I printed the sheet to Microsoft Print to PDF and the document looked right under Print Preview but still printed with no margin on the left side.

So I guess that means it is a printer driver or settings problem. How do I check that?

Thanks again!

Scott
John Jefferson Doyon 90,560 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-10T17:28:05.0733333+00:00
Thanks for checking that.

Yes, since it also happens in Word and even after printing from the PDF, this points more to the printer driver, printer preferences, or HP Smart settings rather than Excel.

Please try this first:

Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

Select your HP DeskJet 2700.

Open Printing preferences.

Check these settings:

Make sure the paper size is correct, such as Letter or A4.

Make sure Borderless printing is turned off, if you see that option.

Look for any setting like Scale to fit, Fit to page, or Actual size, and try Actual size or 100%.

Also try removing and reinstalling the printer:

Go back to Printers & scanners.

Remove the HP DeskJet 2700.

Restart the PC.

Then add the printer again, preferably using the HP Smart app or the latest HP driver.

One quick test: try printing a Windows test page. If that also prints too close to the left edge, then the issue is definitely with the printer/driver alignment and not Office.

Please let me know if the Windows test page prints correctly or also shifts to the left.
Scott G 0 Reputation points

2026-07-10T17:46:53.6133333+00:00

The Test Page printed with correct margins.
John Jefferson Doyon 90,560 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-10T17:51:19.88+00:00

Thanks, that is a helpful result.

Since the Windows Test Page prints with correct margins, the printer itself is likely okay. The issue now looks more like a print setting being applied when printing from Office or PDF, such as scaling, paper size, or borderless/full-page printing.

Please try printing from Excel again, but before clicking Print, open Printer Properties/Preferences from the Excel print screen itself.

Check that the paper size matches the paper in the tray, such as Letter or A4. Also make sure Borderless printing is off, and set scaling to Actual size, 100%, or No scaling if those options appear.
Scott G 0 Reputation points

2026-07-10T18:17:48.01+00:00

John, I really appreciate your efforts to help me.

I can't find any option for Borderless printing. I tried everything else and it's still not working. I probably did something to cause this but have no idea what that would have been.

Everything you've said makes sense, but I don't want to take any more of your time. Thank you so much.

Scott
John Jefferson Doyon 90,560 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-10T18:26:25.66+00:00

Glad to assist!

If all is resolved, feel free to mark the answer for this thread. Otherwise, please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
NGbeck 0 Reputation points

2026-11-05T04:23:54.5433333+00:00

Scott,

I'm having the same issue and have tried everything as well. The issue is that they don't know what the problem is or how to fix it.

Mine started when I bought a new laptop.