Printing from Excel - Part 2

In the last post I showed how to format an Excel sheet so that it fitted to the page and added page numbers. The end result as displayed in Print Preview is as shown here.

As we can see there are no gridlines on the print. We can either remedy this by selecting border types on the table or, more easily, we can set a print option to show simple gridlines. To do this go to Print Preview, click the 'Setup...' button and select the 'Sheet' tab. Here, I select the Print Gridlines option, as shown.

After I click 'OK', the Print Preview looks like this. I have zoomed in on the preview so that you can see the gridlines more clearly.

The above is a preview of page 2, where we can see that there are no column headers as there are on page 1. We can tell Excel to print the column headers on each page to make the print of the table more user-friendly. To do this I need to close the Print Preview, and select 'Page Setup' from the 'File' menu, which enables some extra options. On the 'Sheet' tab I click the circled button.

This opens the following option box. I now click the row that I want to repeat. In this case it is row 1, so I click the appropriate button as circled in red, and close the option box by clicking the button circled in green. This will enter the appropriate code into the 'Rows to repeat at top' option. After, I click 'OK' I have a well formatted spreadsheet ready to be printed.

As you can see there are a number of other options that I have not explored here. If you have a document that prints on many pages you may want to click the 'Margins' button and adjust the size of the print area by clicking and dragging the various dotted lines, but be careful to leave enough of a margin around the table so that the print is not ruined - at least a centimetre (or about half an inch) should be enough. If you have a particularly wide document you may not be able to fit it onto one page width, in which case you can also set the print to repeat columns in much the same way as I did for rows. Printing Excel spreadsheets may be a fiddly business, but with a little effort you can achieve some very good results.

Printing from Excel - Part 1

Printing from Microsoft Excel is markedly different to printing from Word. Whereas in Word we can usually just tell it to print without worrying that much about formatting the page, in Excel we will usually have to specifically tell it how we want to print our speadsheets, and this can sometimes be a little fiddly. Because there is quite a lot of fiddling that can be done I have split these instructions over two posts.

Pictured above is an example of a spreadsheet - in this case a dataset of U.S. population information. Exciting, I know. When I press the Print Preview button [pictured right] I see the following:

As we can see, not all the columns are shown on the first page. If I go down to page 6 we can see the missing column.

To remedy this situation I click the 'Setup..' button in the Print Preview. This opens up the following option box.

I could change the orientation to 'Landscape' as this would enable the missing column ; however, for the purposes of this tutorial I will keep it set to 'Portrait'. Instead, I reduce the scaling until the final column appears on the first page. In this case I set it to 80% of normal size.

I could also have achieved the same result by selecting all the data and reducing the font size, the column width and row height; although I find adjusting the scaling to be easier. The Print Preview now looks like this:

As yet there are no page numbers shown. In order to have page numbers displayed I click 'Setup..' again and open the 'Header/Footer' tab. Here I can select whether I want the page numbers to be shown at the top or the bottom of the page by choosing an option from the appropriate drop-down list, two of which are shown below.

As you can see from the drop-down lists, there are other options available for what will be displayed in the header or footer, including file name and date. I now have a serviceable format for my document that I can print out. At the same time I have reduced the number of pages from ten to four. There are a number of other print formatting options available that I will explore in the next post.

The Difference Between Toner Cartridges and Ink Cartridges

Well what is the Difference?
Its finally time to purchase a new printer. Apart from picking the best looking product, you must decide whether you want an ink jet or a laser printer. In the past, laser printers were very expensive, but they've come down in price to the point that, like ink jet printers, they're quite affordable. Ink jet printers use ink jet cartridges, and laser printers use toner cartridges. They're quite different, and knowing a little more about both types might make choosing a printer easier.

Printing Capacity: One of the biggest differences between toner cartridges and ink cartridges is the number of printouts you will be able to get from a single cartridge. Toner cartridges are quite large, hold a large amount of toner, and can usually print at least 5,000 pages. On the other hand, ink jet cartridges are compact products that can usually fit in the palm of your hand. Many hold a small amount of ink, so it's not surprising their printing capacity is much lower - you can expect to print only a few hundred sheets with an average ink cartridge.

Expense: Since toner cartridges can print a few thousand sheets instead of only a couple hundred, it's not surprising that a toner cartridge is more expensive than an ink cartridge. When you look at the cost of printing a single page, however, toner cartridges are the clear winner. For example, a single page printed with an ink cartridge can cost between 5 and 10 cents, while a page printed with a toner cartridge might only cost two or three. Generic versions of both types of cartridges are widely available, and they can greatly reduce printing costs.

Liquid/Solid: A printer ink cartridge contains liquid ink. It's usually water-based, but some cartridges also contain oil-based ink. Toner, on the other hand, is a dry, carbon-based substance that has the consistency of fine dust.

Printing Method: The way that ink and toner are actually distributed onto paper to create text and images is very different. Ink cartridges spray ink through small nozzles in the cartridge. Toner adheres to the page in a specific pattern as a result of static electricity.

Water Damage: Anyone who has had any experience with ink jet printers knows that the ink is water soluble as well as water based. Getting a printout produced with an ink cartridge wet will cause it to run. Even using products like highlighters can cause the ink to smear. This is not a problem when toner cartridges are used.

A Crash Course in Bluetooth Printing

In recent years, Bluetooth technology has become increasingly popular. With the ability to transmit data using radio signals, Bluetooth devices can detect and interact with one another as far as 100 meters away. Although most people have heard of this new technology, not everyone is familiar with how it works. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the basic elements of Bluetooth printing, including the advantages and disadvantages of this wireless communication technology.

Unlike other wireless networks, Bluetooth signals can extend beyond doors, walls, and in some cases, different levels of a building. With that being said, Bluetooth printers are the ideal solution for customers looking to get rid of those messy wires and cords.

Bluetooth devices are also great for business professionals who travel frequently—not only can you take them anywhere, but setting them up is easier than ever. Plus, most Bluetooth printers have an extra long battery life, so you can use them for hours without having to recharge them. Nowadays, some printers come with Bluetooth technology transceivers already installed. However, for those printers that don’t already have Bluetooth technology, you should only need an adapter to use Bluetooth signals.

There are many Bluetooth printer adapters available. You can either shop online or at your local electronics store, and you’ll most likely find an inexpensive one that’s compatible with your device. Once you purchase an adapter, simply connect one end to your PC and the other end to your printer. After you’ve done this, it should install itself. If you have an older type of printer, such as a parallel printer, you’ll probably need a nine pin converter in order to accept files via Bluetooth.

One of the most notable advantages of Bluetooth technology is that it offers greater bandwidth, which prevents interference and data loss by other devices on the same frequency. Another benefit of a Bluetooth printer is the ability to send print jobs from several different machines to the same printer. In fact, a master Bluetooth device can typically connect up to seven other devices in a single network.

You may also have the option of printing from a handheld PDA. To perform this action, just search for your Bluetooth printer on your mobile device. If you’re having trouble finding it, try looking under “BT Discovery” or “Bluetooth Discovery.”

However, despite these advantages, one thing you need to be aware of with Bluetooth technology is its underlying security issues. We’ve all heard horror stories about people’s phones being hacked into and all of their personal information being used without their knowing. Unfortunately, Bluetooth technology presents similar concerns. Because these devices can connect across vast ranges, it’s possible for other people to easily tap into your network or devices if not secured properly. Keep in mind that checking the “Turn discover on” option will make your PC less secure.

As with most other technology products, Bluetooth is only going to get better, faster and more popular. Most likely, its bandwidth capacities and networking capabilities will expand, allowing for more seamless communication between devices. In other words, devices with Bluetooth technology will be able to transmit and receive more high-quality data.

By: Jenna James

nkjet Printer Cartridges – For sharp and Clear Prints

Right from their launch in late 1980s, inkjet printer has gained its own popularity among small businesses and domestic users. Inkjet printers were initially developed by Canon that prints letter and images on the paper by spraying small streams of quick-drying ink. They are the most economical printers that are available in market, and are manufactured by all leading brands. They use liquid ink for printing that is stored in disposable ink cartridges. If you want to get the most out of your printer, then it is very mandatory to equip them with the best inkjet printer cartridges. These printer ink cartridges are manufacture by leading brands like Epson, Compaq, Dell, HP, Lexmark, Brother and more.

Basically inkjet printer cartridges are classified into three main types they are;

1. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) ink cartridges:

The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) ink cartridges are a cartridge that holds the tradename of the manufacturer on it. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) ink cartridges are offered by Epson, Canon, Hewlett Packard, Compaq, Dell and more.

2. Compatible ink cartridges:

These generic ink cartridges are manufactured by a company other than the original printer manufacturer. Compatible inkjet cartridges can be used with most of the printers, no matter whatever their brand is. These compatible ink cartridges are readily available in the market and are cheaper than the OEM cartridges.

3. Remanufactured ink cartridges:

As the name implies, the remanufactured inkjet cartridges are refilled once the ink is emptied. Remanufactured inkjet cartridges hold several advantages. They are available at an affordable price, eco-friendly and offer more prints.

The quality of the printout solely depends on the ink and paper you use. Inkjet printer cartridges use two entirely different types.

Dye based inks:

The dye based inks have varied colour combinations, but it takes some time to fix on to the paper, which may result in smearing at times. The dye based inks are ideal for straightforward monochrome printing. This type of ink is not water or light proof that may fade on longer run.

Pigmented inks:

The pigmented inks are resistant against water and light dries quickly than a dye based. Pigmented inks are better choice for colour printing, because they deliver great print quality. So, they are widely preferred rather than dye based inks.

Some safety tips while using ink cartridges:

• It is recommended to keep the inkjet printer cartridges out of the children reach.

• It is not advisable to shake cartridges as it may cause ink leakage.

• Always be cautious while handling the used ink cartridges, because there are chances of ink leakage that may be in and around the ink supply port. Accidentally if the ink gets in contact with your skin, wash the area thoroughly with mild soap and water. If suppose the ink gets in your eyes, flush them immediately with running water. If you find any irritation or vision problems rush to a nearest clinic immediately.

• It is wise to install printer ink cartridges as soon as you take it from the pack. When its get exposed for a long time you may likely to come across quality issues.

• Do not unnecessarily take the inkjet printer cartridges from the clamp. You need to take only when the ink is dried up completely.

• It is advisable not to use the printer ink cartridges beyond the expiry date; otherwise, it may result in reduced print quality.

• Always store the inkjet printer cartridges in a cool and dark place.

chrischole