To "remove page preview" in Excel typically refers to either exiting the Page Break Preview mode or disabling the display of automatic page break lines in Normal view. Both processes are straightforward and help you return to a standard worksheet display without print-related visual indicators.
1. Exiting Page Break Preview View
Excel's Page Break Preview mode provides a visual representation of how your worksheet will look when printed, showing page numbers and the exact location of page breaks. This view is incredibly useful for adjusting print areas and scaling but isn't ideal for general data entry or analysis.
To switch out of Page Break Preview:
- Via the Ribbon:
- Go to the View tab on the Excel Ribbon.
- In the Workbook Views group, click the Normal button.
- Via the Status Bar:
- Look at the bottom-right corner of your Excel window, on the Status Bar.
- Click the Normal view icon (usually the leftmost of the three view icons).
Once you click Normal, your worksheet will revert to the standard view, and the page break preview will be removed.
2. Hiding Page Break Lines in Normal View
Even in Normal view, Excel can display dashed lines indicating where automatic or manual page breaks occur. These lines help you understand print layouts without being in the full Page Break Preview mode. If you find these lines distracting, you can easily hide them.
To hide page break lines in Normal view:
- Click File in the top-left corner of Excel.
- Select Options from the menu on the left (usually at the very bottom).
- In the Excel Options dialog box, click on the Advanced category in the left pane.
- Scroll down to the section titled "Display options for this worksheet".
- Locate the "Show page breaks" checkbox.
- Uncheck this box to turn off the display of page breaks.
- Click OK to apply the changes.
Reference Confirmation: This method aligns directly with Excel's functionality for controlling page break visibility: "In the Advanced category, under Display options for this worksheet, you can select or clear the Show page breaks check box to turn page breaks on or off in Normal view."
3. Understanding Print Preview
It's also worth noting Print Preview, which is what you see when you go to File > Print. This is a dedicated full-screen view that shows exactly how your document will look before printing. You don't "remove" this preview as much as you simply exit it to return to your worksheet.
To exit Print Preview:
- Click the back arrow (usually in the top-left corner) or press the Esc key on your keyboard.
Summary of Page Preview Options
Here's a quick overview of different "page preview" elements in Excel and how to manage them:
| Type of "Page Preview" | Description | How to "Remove" / Exit |
|---|---|---|
| Page Break Preview View | A dedicated view showing page boundaries and numbers for print layout. | Go to View tab > Workbook Views group > Click Normal. |
| Page Break Lines (Normal View) | Dashed lines appearing in Normal view indicating automatic/manual breaks. | File > Options > Advanced > Uncheck Show page breaks. |
| Print Preview | The final visual check before printing, accessed via File > Print. | Click the back arrow or press Esc. |
By understanding these distinctions, you can effectively control how print-related visual aids are displayed in your Excel worksheets.
