Repeating Rows and Columns

In the software training schedule example, it would be helpful if rows 3 and 4 could be repeated as the first rows on every page following the first page.  Here is our example again:  

To repeat rows or columns:

1. From the File menu, choose Page Setup and move to the Sheet tab.  In addition to repeating rows and columns (Print titles), the Sheet tab allows you to set a print area to print only part of the spreadsheet and gives you other print options such as printing the spreadsheet gridlines and changing the order in which pages are printed.  For this tutorial, we are concerned with the Print titles area.

2. A range must be entered in either the rows or columns field.  In our case, the Rows to repeat at top field.  Even if you only want one row to repeat, you must still enter a range.  For example, $3:$3, would repeat row 3.  To make it easy, choose the Collapse dialog button as shown above.

3. This button collapses the dialog box and allows you to choose the rows from the spreadsheet.  Click row 3 on the left and drag down to row 4.  The chosen rows are outlined with a marquee.  Notice the range is automatically placed in the Page Setup box.

4. Once the rows are selected, choose the Expand dialog button as indicated above.  The Page Setup dialog box expands.

5. Choose Print Preview to check for the repeating rows on each page, or choose OK to close the dialog box and return to the spreadsheet.

Working with Page Breaks

There are times when pages break in inappropriate places.  In the tutorial example, we may not want pages to break in the middle of a week's schedule.  To adjust page breaks:

1. From the View menu, choose Page Break Preview.  Page breaks are indicated with blue dotted lines.  You can click and drag these lines to make the appropriate changes.  Notice the following page break cuts through the middle of a weekend:

2. The mouse pointer changes to a double-headed black arrow when held over the dotted line.  Click and drag the dotted line to a more appropriate place.  In our case, in between rows 48 and 49.  Continue until you are satisfied with all the page breaks.

3. From the View menu, choose Normal to return to the normal spreadsheet view.

The little "extras" really make your work look professional.  Experiment with headers, footers, repeating rows/columns, and page breaks to put your best foot forward with a nice, clean print out.  Have fun!