Excel: Errors Printing Columns Formatted with Best Fit

• Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a
• Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 3.0, 4.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you size columns by choosing Column Width from the Format menu and selecting the Best Fit option, some values may appear in print preview and on the printed output as number signs (#), even though the numbers appear on the the screen in normal view.

CAUSE

The Best Fit option bases the column width on the metrics of the screen font width. If your printer does not support a printer font that exactly matches the screen font, the closest printer font is used. If this font is a different size than the screen font, the width of the column may be too narrow to fit the same text formatted with the printer font.

NOTE: If you are using Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh and are printing to a LaserWriter, some printer fonts may have different widths than their screen equivalents.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, view the columns in print preview and adjust the columns so that the full contents of the column is displayed.

In both Microsoft Excel for Windows and the Macintosh, you'll get the best results if you use a printer font for the Normal style (column widths are based on this font). If you are using Microsoft Excel with Microsoft Windows version 3.1, use either a printer font or a TrueType font.

NOTE: This problem is less likely to occur in Microsoft Excel version 4.0 than in earlier versions of Microsoft Excel; in version 4.0, more space is allocated when you use the Best Fit option to size your columns.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here as it becomes available.