Be able to set the orientation to portrait or landscape

Topic 20 – Spreadsheets

Objective: Set the orientation to portrait or landscape

When a spreadsheet is printed, the page orientation determines how the data is arranged on the paper. Choosing the correct orientation (portrait or landscape) helps to avoid unwanted line‑breaks, ensures that all columns are visible, and gives the document a professional appearance.

When to use each orientation

• Portrait – best for short tables with few columns, or when the report layout is primarily vertical.
• Landscape – ideal for wide tables, charts, or when you need to display many columns on a single page.

Changing the orientation – step‑by‑step

Microsoft Excel (Windows)

1. Open the workbook and select the worksheet you want to print.
2. Go to the Page Layout tab on the ribbon.
3. In the Page Setup group, click Orientation.
4. Choose Portrait or Landscape from the drop‑down menu.
5. Optional: Click the small arrow in the lower‑right corner of the Page Setup group to open the full dialog box for additional settings (margins, scaling, etc.).
6. Use Print Preview (Ctrl + P) to confirm the layout before printing.

Google Sheets

1. Open the spreadsheet and select the sheet to be printed.
2. Click File ► Print (or press Ctrl + P).
3. In the Print settings pane on the right, locate the Layout section.
4. Choose Portrait or Landscape from the Orientation drop‑down.
5. Review the preview; adjust scaling or margins if required.
6. Click Next and then Print to complete.

LibreOffice Calc

1. Open the spreadsheet and select the sheet you intend to print.
2. Choose Format ► Page from the menu bar.
3. In the Page Style dialog, go to the Page tab.
4. Under Orientation, select Portrait or Landscape.
5. Click OK** to apply the change.
6. Use File ► Print Preview to verify the layout.

Comparison of steps

Tips for effective printing

• Always preview the worksheet after changing orientation.
• If the data still does not fit, consider adjusting scaling (e.g., “Fit to width”) or reducing column width.
• Set appropriate margins to avoid cutting off content.
• Use the Print Area feature to limit printing to the relevant range.