HP DeskJet 2842e won't print Excel spreadsheets in Landscape

[reneevv]

Could not figure out why this printer wouldn't print my spreadsheets when it printed documents and webpages without a problem.  The Print Manager would show as if it was printing and then say that it HAD printed, but absolutely nothing would come out of the printer.  If I selected a different printer - same document, same computer - the spreadsheet would print fine.  Then I discovered that the 2842 WOULD print Excel spreadsheets in Portrait, but NOT Landscape!  Why?!  I've checked umpteen settings and everything seems fine.

[VikramTheGreat · Accepted solution]

Hi @reneevv,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

The HP DeskJet 2842e uses a simplified driver optimized for everyday printing. Excel’s Landscape layout sometimes sends scaling instructions that the basic driver misinterprets, resulting in blank pages or skipped content.

Recommended Solutions

1. Update Printer Software

• Download and install the Full Feature Software and Driver for your printer from HP Support: HP DeskJet 2842e All-in-One Printer | HP® Support
• Restart your computer and printer after installation.
   

2. Adjust Excel Print Settings

• In Excel, go to File → Print → Page Setup.
• Under Scaling, select Fit Sheet on One Page.
• Confirm Paper Size = A4 and Orientation = Landscape.
   

3. Print via HP Smart App

• Install HP Smart from the Microsoft Store.
• Open HP Smart → Print Documents → select your Excel file or save as PDF first.
• HP Smart handles layout better than the basic Windows print dialog.
   

4. Workaround: Print to PDF

• In Excel, choose Print → Microsoft Print to PDF.
• Save the file, then print the PDF using HP Smart or the HP driver.

HP Official Resource: HP print settings guide | HP® Support

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[reneevv]

Thanks for the reply.  Unfortunately, the email notifications telling me an answer was posted ended up in my spam.  I only just found them.  I see the answer you have provided and will try it out as soon as I can and report back.

[reneevv]

So, partially successful.  Explanation below.

I tried option 2 first - Adjusted Excel Print Settings to Scale as "Print Document On..." (I can't read the rest of the option on my computer, but I'm assuming this was the "one page" option).  I did NOT change the paper to A4, but left it as Letter.  It did actually print!  But it cut off the left margin and printed right up to the edge of the paper.  Then I tried changing the paper size to A4 - it printed again, still cut off the left margin, but also printed smaller.

Then I tried option 1 - Downloaded and Installed the Full Feature Software an Driver and restarted the computer and printer.  I changed the Scale back to "Print Actual Size."  Once again, it DID print, but also cut off the left margin.

Regarding options 3 & 4, you can't print an Excel file directly from HP Smart WITHOUT first saving the Excel file as a PDF, which I don't want to do every time I want to print this file, which is frequently, so that isn't an option.

So at least I can now print the spreadsheet on the 2842e printer, even though it cuts off the left margin and prints the file right up against the left edge of the paper, but I can deal with that.  At least it prints!

So thank you and I will "Accept (It) As Solution" even though it isn't a "perfect" solution  🙂

Renee