Excel will not print images at correct height/width!!

I posted a 5"x5" grid in the OP. To test all I want is insert the image in a sheet and print. It will either measure wrong or right.

So far I've tested Excel 2007 and 2010, and also tested Excel on Mac, and using two different printers and 3 computers. None have printed correct sizes.

I've also tested with TIFF, JPG, BMP, and PNG. I've tested from 96DPI all the way up to 600DPI. I've changed umpteen printer and print properties, quality settings etc. I've probably printed 50 test pages.

The reason I'm in Excel is because it's for data entry, however, data is being printed from numerous sheets with the entered data, overlaid on the graphic. It's sort of like a mail merge would be in Word, except that I need Excel functionality on the data.

Word is actually worse, since it wants to convert images to even lower res. Excel tells me in the page properties that it is printing 600DPI, which is plenty adequate.

Here is a link to he grid, the forum doesn't allow TIF I guess:
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?23ele2nbq9yk6fa


I won't allow any excuses for MS on this one, people can say "well Excel isn't for graphics" but that doesn't matter. It's distorting images, this would apply to any graphical need on Excel, it looks different on page then on print preview, and measures different on print! That can mess with any important graphic like technical graphics, borders (which is like what I need), corporate logos/letterheads etc. Excel should most definitely be smart enough to accept a 5x5 graphic and print it 5x5, not 5 5/16" x 4 13/16". Not when Excel reports the image dimensions correctly in the program. Something is certainly wrong, or bugged, in image handling. Unless one of you can find out what is wrong!


Thanks

I played with your image, and I can confirm the problem you are having. It is definitely an Excel issue, and not a printer or computer issue. I put the image into a header and put text in several cells, and when I enter Print Preview, the image moves relative to the text.

I did a google search for "excel resizes images when printing" and this is not unique to you. It apparently started with Excel 2007. If you have access to an older version, you may want to try that.

I also found this in one of the search results:

I had this problem before, this seem to work in early versions of
excel, but not in 2007. Here is how I solved the issue:
1) Click on the image.
2) Hold down Shift and go to the Edit menu, then select Copy Picture.
3) Hit Paste.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by handerson0603

I did a google search for "excel resizes images when printing" and this is not unique to you. It apparently started with Excel 2007. If you have access to an older version, you may want to try that.

I got here from a Google Search of "excel not printing to scale" so leaving a comment for anyone else.

I am having this problem too. Using Excel 2010. I don't have access to an AutoCAD or Visio license and wanted to mock up a quick layout to scale. I used VBA code to set column width and height in cm, and inserted basic shapes which I sized exactly using the properties menu. I also changed their properties to "Move but do not size with cells" just in case.

Visually, on-screen this is fine. Perfect circles are visually perfect circles.

When I print the document, the entire thing is stretched horizontally by 2mm - both column widths AND inserted shapes are stretched. All heights (rows and shapes) are perfect - I checked with a ruler.

TL;DR: A 50mm x 50mm (HxW) inserted circle shape in Excel prints out as a 50mm x 52mm oval FOR NO DISCERNABLE REASON.

People say "why are you using Excel for graphics?" well, I'm sure Mr Joe Accountant doesn't want his perfect circle call-out to magically change into an oval either... This is a real problem