XL2000: How to Set Print Area to Range with Defined Name

ID: Q213648

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 2000

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, if you have a macro that prints a range of cells on your worksheet, it may not print all of your data if you have inserted rows within the range specified in your macro. However, if rather than hard-coding a specific range of cells to print, you instead use a print area that refers to a defined name on your worksheet, you can create a print macro that automatically adjusts to any additional rows you insert into the range.

MORE INFORMATION

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To follow the example provided in this article, enter any text information into the cell range A1:D5 on Sheet1 of a new workbook.

If you record a macro that selects the range of cells, sets the print area, and then prints the worksheet, you create a macro similar to the following:


   Sub Macro1()
      Range("A1:D5").Select
      ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = "$A$1:$D$5"
      ActiveWindow.SelectedSheets.PrintOut Copies:=1
   End Sub

The problem with this macro is that if you insert one or more rows within this range of cells, and then rerun the recorded macro, it still prints only the range specified in the macro. The macro does not print any rows that were moved down because of the row or rows that you inserted.

In order to have your macro automatically adjust when you insert or delete rows within the range you want to print, create a defined name for the range, and then use the defined name in your macro. For this example, you would do the following:

In your worksheet, select the range A1:D5.

On the Insert menu, point to Name, and then click Define.

In the Define Name dialog box, type myrange in the Names in workbook box at the top of the dialog box. Make sure that the Refers to box at the bottom of this dialog box contains "=Sheet1!$A$1:$D$5" (without the quotation marks).

Click OK.

Modify the above recorded macro so it reads:


      Sub Macro1()
         Range("myrange").Select
         ActiveSheet.PageSetup.PrintArea = "myrange"
         ActiveWindow.SelectedSheets.PrintOut Copies:=1
      End Sub

NOTE: Instead of using a fixed range of cells, use the defined name "myrange".

If you now insert one or more rows within this range, the range of cells referred to by the defined name "myrange" will grow accordingly, and if you run your macro, all of the rows in this range will be printed.

REFERENCES

For more information about defining a name for a range of cells, click Microsoft Excel Help on the Help menu, type Name cells in a workbook in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Additional query words: XL2000

Keywords : kbprg kbdta kbdtacode PgmHowto KbVBA
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto