Fixing Issue: Set Image as MS Excel Background Doesn't Persist When Printing/Saving as PDF

Fixing Issue: Setting MS Excel Background Doesn't Persist When Printing/Saving as PDF

Have you ever faced an issue where the background you set in your MS Excel Workbook does not persist when printing or saving the file as a PDF? This article will help you understand the issue and provide possible solutions to fix this problem. With a focus on a global topic, we'll dive into the key concepts and cover subtopics using appropriate headings and paragraphs. Let's get started.

Understanding the Issue

Microsoft Excel allows users to customize their worksheets by applying background images or colors. However, when users print or save the workbook as a PDF, the background often does not appear, leaving a white background instead. This issue has been encountered by users who want to retain the aesthetic appeal of their documents.

The Root Cause

By default, Excel does not print background images or colors when a workbook is printed or saved as a PDF because PDFs are meant for efficient and clear document representation. However, there are ways around this issue and to retain the custom backgrounds.

Quick Solutions

Before approaching more complex solutions, there are a few quick methods to try:

• Ensure that the 'Print background colors and images' option is checked in the 'Excel Options' dialog box under the 'Advanced' tab before printing or saving the workbook as a PDF;
• Check the 'Page Layout' tab and see if the 'Print Background Colors and Images' checkbox is marked. If not, enable it before proceeding with printing or saving as a PDF.

Changing Page Setup Settings

If the quick solutions do not work, there is another alternative that might help:

1. File > Page Setup
2. Under the 'Page' tab, check the 'Print background colors and images' box

Using VBA

If all other methods do not work, a VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macro can be used. This macro modifies the Excel settings to ensure the background image stays on when saving or printing:

Sub SetPrintBackground()
   With ActiveSheet.PageSetup
     .PrintBackground = True
   End With
 End Sub

When dealing with the issue of Excel background not persisting when printing or saving as a PDF, users can:

• Check 'Print background colors and images' under 'Excel Options' > 'Advanced' tab before printing/saving;
• Ensure 'Print Background Colors and Images' is enabled in the 'Page Layout' tab;
• Modify the 'Print Background Colors and Images' setting in the 'Page Setup' dialog box;
• Use the provided VBA macro to resolve the issue.

References

• Articles:
  • Microsoft Excel Help - Change page setup options for a worksheet or workbook in Excel
• Online Resources:
  • ExcelJet - Print Backgrounds in Excel