Cannot Print in Color in Excel. (Quick FIX)
If you are unable to print in color from an Excel spreadsheet, continue reading below to quickly resolve the issue.
Recently, a client reported being unable to print in color from a specific Excel spreadsheet, even though the printer settings were correct. This issue was isolated to one spreadsheet and did not affect other Excel documents.
The root cause of this problem often lies in the spreadsheet's print settings within the 'Page Setup' options, rather than a fault in Excel or the printer itself.
How to FIX: Unable to Print in Color in Microsoft Excel
Step 1: Access the Page Setup options using one of the following methods:
A. From the File menu, select Print and then click Page Setup.
B. In the worksheet you want to print in color, select the Page Layout tab and click the bottom right button in the Page Setup group.
Step 2: In the 'Page Setup' dialog, navigate to the Sheet tab and uncheck the Black and white option. Click OK and attempt to print again.
* Info: If 'Black and white' is checked, the printer will only output in Grayscale, preventing color printing.
Step 3: Normally, your Excel spreadsheet should now print in color.
* Note: If the issue persists, access the printer's preferences to ensure Color printing is enabled. Follow these steps:
1. From the File menu, select Print and open the Printer Properties of your printer.
2. Locate the Print Quality and Color settings. Ensure that the Quality is set to Standard and the Color option is checked.
Additional Solutions
Solution 1: Update Printer Drivers
Outdated printer drivers can cause printing issues. Visit the official website of your printer's manufacturer to download and install the latest drivers. This ensures compatibility with the latest software updates and can resolve color printing issues.
Solution 2: Check Excel's Print Area
Sometimes, the defined print area might exclude sections that contain color. Navigate to the Page Layout tab, click Print Area, and select Clear Print Area to reset it. Redefine the print area if necessary.
Summary
To resolve color printing issues in Excel, ensure that the 'Black and white' option is unchecked in the 'Page Setup' settings. Verify that your printer's color settings are enabled and consider updating printer drivers or checking the print area settings. These steps should help you restore full color printing functionality in your Excel documents.
Did these solutions work for you? Please leave a comment below or share this post on social networks to help others facing similar issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I print in color from my Excel spreadsheet?
The issue is likely due to the 'Black and white' option being checked in the spreadsheet's 'Page Setup' under the Sheet tab. This causes the printer to output in Grayscale only.
How do I change the print settings to print in color in Excel?
Open 'Page Setup' through File > Print > Page Setup or by selecting the Page Layout tab and clicking the Page Setup button. In the Sheet tab, uncheck the 'Black and white' option and try printing again.
What if unchecking 'Black and white' doesn't solve the issue?
If the problem persists, check your printer's settings. Go to File > Print, open Printer Properties, and ensure the Color option is enabled and Print Quality is set to Standard.
- iPhone 17 vs. iPhone 16: Comparison and Who Actually Benefits. - June 16, 2026
- How to Factory Reset and Wipe an Android Device: What You Need to Know - June 12, 2026
- BitLocker Recovery Key: What You Need to Know in 2026 - June 9, 2026
