How to Fix Missing Page Setup Options in Excel for Mac
Question details
The user is unable to locate the Page Setup Options button to define custom paper sizes for a large-format printer in recent versions of Excel for Mac.
- Product
- Excel for Mac (version 16.53 / Microsoft 365)
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Setting a custom paper size to print a worksheet on a large-format printer.
- Observed behavior
- The Options button shown in older Excel instructions is completely missing from the Page Setup menu in the current version.
Ensure your Mac is properly connected to your large-format printer and that the latest printer drivers are installed, as macOS relies on the printer's driver to manage available paper dimensions.
Set Custom Paper Sizes via the macOS Print Dialog
Since the Options button has been removed from newer Excel versions, you must now select and create custom paper sizes directly within the system Print dialog.
The 'Options' button featured in older tutorials belongs to Excel 2011. In current releases, such as Excel 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 for Mac, Microsoft has integrated page sizing natively into the macOS printing system.
Instead of looking for it in the Page Layout tab, you will need to bypass the Excel-specific settings and use the standard Mac Print dialog to define your large-format dimensions.
In Excel for Mac, navigate to the top menu bar, click on 'File', and select 'Print'. Alternatively, you can press Command + P on your keyboard.
In the Print window that appears, look for the 'Paper Size' dropdown menu. If you do not see full options, you may need to click 'Show Details' at the bottom of the dialog.
Click the 'Paper Size' dropdown menu, scroll all the way to the bottom, and select 'Manage Custom Sizes...'.
Click the '+' button to add a new custom size profile. Double-click the new profile to name it (e.g., 'Large Format 24x36'), and input the specific width, height, and non-printable margins for your printer.
Click 'OK' to save the custom size, ensure it is selected in the Paper Size dropdown, and then click 'Print' to send the document to your large-format printer.
Try WPS Office for a Seamless Printing Experience on Mac
If UI changes and missing buttons in Microsoft Excel are disrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides an intuitive, familiar spreadsheet interface for Mac users, allowing you to easily configure page layouts and print large-format documents without frustration.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Office on your Mac and open your existing spreadsheet.
- 2. Access Page Layout: Navigate to the Page Layout tab located on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Set Custom Paper Size: Click on 'Size' and select 'More Paper Sizes' to easily define specific large-format dimensions for your printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Microsoft remove the Options button in Excel for Mac?
The 'Options' button was part of the older Excel 2011 interface. Starting with Excel 2016, Microsoft removed this button to align with Apple's modern macOS design guidelines, offloading advanced print configurations directly to the system-level Print dialog.
Why doesn't my custom paper size show up in the Page Layout tab?
In newer versions of Excel for Mac, paper sizes defined in the system Print dialog are handled by the macOS print spooler. Excel's native Page Layout tab sometimes fails to sync or read these custom dimensions, which is why they only appear when you actively go to File > Print.
Can I save a custom paper size for future use in Excel?
Yes. When you use 'Manage Custom Sizes...' in the Mac Print dialog and click the '+' icon to create a size, it saves at the system level. This means your new large-format size will be available not only for future Excel sessions but also in other applications on your Mac.
