XL: How to Set Print Area to Range with Defined Name

• Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
• Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Excel For Windows, versions 5.0, 5.0c
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, if you have a macro that prints a range of cells on your worksheet, it may not print all of your data if you have inserted rows within the range specified in your macro. However, if rather than hard- coding a specific range of cells to print, you instead use a print area that refers to a defined name on your worksheet, you can create a print macro that automatically adjusts to any additional rows you insert into the range.

MORE INFORMATION

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If you record a macro that selects the range of cells, sets the print area, and then prints the worksheet, you create a macro similar to the following:

   Sub Macro1()
      Range("A1:D5").Select
      ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = Selection.Address
      ActiveWindow.SelectedSheets.PrintOut Copies:=1
   End Sub

In order to have your macro automatically adjust when you insert or delete rows within the range you want to print, create a defined name for the range, and then use the defined name in your macro. For this example, you would do the following:

1. In your worksheet, select the range A1:D5.

2. On the Insert menu, point to Name, and then click Define.

3. In the Define Name dialog box, type "myrange" (without the quotation marks) in the Names In Worksheet box at the top of the dialog box. Make sure that the Refers To box at the bottom of this dialog box contains "=Sheet1!$A$1:$D$5" (without the quotation marks).

4. Click OK.

5. Modify the above recorded macro so it reads:

         Sub Macro1()
            Range("myrange").Select
            ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = Selection.Address
            ActiveWindow.SelectedSheets.PrintOut Copies:=1
         End Sub
   
      NOTE: Change only the first line of code. Instead of using a fixed range
      of cells, use the defined name "myrange".
   
   

REFERENCES

For more information about Defined Names, click Answer Wizard on the Help menu, and type:

   tell me how to define a name