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How to Set Custom Print Margins in Excel

When Normal, Narrow, and Wide are all slightly wrong, set the exact numbers yourself.

  1. Open the "Page Layout" tab

    Click the "Page Layout" tab on the ribbon.

  2. Click "Margins"

    In the "Page Setup" group, click "Margins."

  3. Choose "Custom Margins"

    From the dropdown menu, click "Custom Margins."

  4. Enter the top, bottom, left, and right values yourself

    Type in the exact margin values you want for each side and click OK.

  5. Why this matters

    This gives you precise control whenever you need wider margins than the default, or narrower ones to fit more content on a single page.

When none of the presets quite fit

The built-in Narrow, Normal, and Wide presets cover most everyday needs, but when they do not quite fit β€” say a form with a required margin spec, or a report that needs just slightly more room for binding β€” Custom Margins lets you enter the exact measurements instead of settling for an approximation.

Pair it with Fit to Page for full control

Custom margins control the blank space around your content, while the "Fit to Page" scaling option controls how large that content prints. Using both together gives you complete control over exactly how a printed worksheet looks, rather than relying on trial and error with print preview alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a separate margin for binding?

Yes β€” the same dialog has a "Gutter" margin field you can set separately to leave extra room for binding the printed pages.

What does the centering option do?

Checking the "Horizontally" and "Vertically" boxes at the bottom of the same dialog automatically centers your printed content within the margins.