Printing Problems

How to Print Multiple Copies of an Excel Worksheet on Mac

Huda Qurayshi Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need a reliable way to print multiple copies of a single Excel worksheet on a Mac, as the standard print function occasionally fails.

How to Print Multiple Copies of an Excel Worksheet on Mac

Product: Excel for Microsoft 365
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to print multiple copies of a single worksheet at once.
Observed behavior: Excel ignores the specified number of copies in the print dialog and only prints a single copy.

Before you start

Ensure your Mac's printer drivers and macOS are up to date, as outdated system files can sometimes contribute to print spooler miscommunications.

Solution 1Recommended

Print Using macOS Preview

Bypass Excel's printing glitch by sending the document directly to the built-in macOS Preview app.

This is the fastest and most practical workaround, as it does not require you to alter your workbook or write any code. It leverages the native PDF rendering capabilities of macOS to handle the print job correctly.

Open the Print Dialog

In your open Excel workbook, press Command + P on your keyboard or navigate to File > Print in the top menu.

Select the PDF Dropdown

Look at the bottom of the Print dialog box and locate the dropdown button labeled 'PDF'.

Open in Preview

Click the PDF button and select 'Open in Preview' from the menu. This will immediately launch your worksheet as a temporary document in the Mac Preview application.

Print Multiple Copies

In Preview, press Command + P to open the print dialog again. Enter your desired number of copies in the Copies field and click Print.

No Saving Required: You do not need to save the PDF file to your hard drive before printing. The 'Open in Preview' function creates a temporary file that you can discard after printing.

Solution 2

Duplicate the Worksheet Using a VBA Macro

Use a VBA script to automatically create identical copies of your worksheet, print them, and then manually delete the copies.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Print Seamlessly with WPS Office for Mac

Tired of dealing with printing glitches in Microsoft Excel on your Mac? Switch to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative that opens your Excel files natively and handles multiple-copy print jobs accurately without needing extra workarounds.

1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for Mac for free from the official website and install it.
2. Open Your Workbook: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and open your existing Excel (.xlsx) file.
3. Print Effortlessly: Press Command + P, set your required number of copies, and print directly with no errors.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx) document formats.Reliable native printing support optimized for macOS.Lightweight installation with a familiar interface that requires zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Excel on Mac only print one copy?

This is a known bug in certain versions of Excel for Microsoft 365 on macOS. The software fails to pass the correct 'Copies' variable to the macOS print spooler, causing the printer to default to a single copy regardless of what you entered.

Will using macOS Preview change my Excel workbook formatting?

No. The 'Open in Preview' function utilizes macOS's built-in PDF engine to take a perfect snapshot of your print area exactly as Excel intends to print it. Margins, fonts, and layouts remain perfectly intact.

Can I fix this issue permanently in Excel?

A permanent fix requires an update from Microsoft. Ensure your Microsoft Office suite is configured to receive automatic updates (Help > Check for Updates). In the meantime, the Preview method is the safest and most reliable workaround.

Document & File Issues