Everything will print except something in xls format. How do I fix that?

Hello M M

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A Forum.

From your description, I understand that you can print all files but except for xls format files.

This usually happens because Excel prints differently from other programs, even if your printer works fine elsewhere, Excel can fail due to how it handles prints areas, drivers, or the file itself.

Here are some steps that you can kindly follow to help resolve the issue:

1. Test on a new blank workbook: Copy the content of the problem workbook into a new workbook, then printing from the new file to see if the issue is fixed.
2. Clear any Print Area:
   • Go to Page Layout > Print Area > Clear Print Area.
   • Ensure that area you want printed is actually visible/unhidden.
3. Check page setup:
   • Check "Page Layout" settings: orientation, margins, scaling, paper size.
4. Start Excel in Safe Mode:
   • Open Command Center (Windows + R), run: excel /safe
   • Open your file and try printing.
   • If it works, disable add-ins one by one to see which one causes the problem.

I hope it helps, please feel free to let me know if you need any further assistance.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

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Hi M M
Sorry for causing the confusion:

To start Excel in Safe Mode, please open Command Center by pressing Windows + R and run: excel /safe

Please feel free to try again and let me know if it works.

Thank you for your patience.

Called myself doing that. Even copy and pasted the command in run and still get the error message: Windows cannot find 'excel.' Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

Dear M M

The error “Windows cannot find excel” means Windows can’t locate the Excel executable. This usually happens if Excel isn’t in your system PATH or if the program name is different depending on the version/installation (Microsoft 365, standalone Office, etc.).

Please try the following steps:

1. Alternative way to open Safe Mode:
   • Hold Ctrl while double-clicking the Excel shortcut.
   • When prompted, click Yes to start Excel in Safe Mode.
2. Use the full path to Excel: In the Run box (Windows +R), type:

      C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE /safe
   

   or if you are on 32-bit Office or different version:

      C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE /safe
   

   • (Replace Office16 with your version if needed — e.g., Office15, Office14, etc.)
3. Check if Excel is installed and working normally:
   • Press Start and type Excel.
   • If it opens normally, then try launching it in Safe Mode using the full path above.
   • If Excel doesn’t appear, Office may not be installed correctly — in that case, run a Repair from Control Panel > Programs & Features > Microsoft Office > Change > Quick Repair.

This should let you bypass the issue of Windows not recognizing the excel shortcut in Run.

I hope it helps, please feel free to keep me updated. Thank you for your time and patience.

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