Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Excel Copy as Picture 'As Shown When Printed' Not Working

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to successfully copy content as a picture using the 'As Shown When Printed' configuration, as the application freezes.

How to Fix Excel Copy as Picture 'As Shown When Printed' Not Working

Product: Excel for Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to copy a selection or chart as an image formatted exactly as it would appear on a printed page.
Observed behavior: Excel stops responding when 'As Shown When Printed' is selected in the Copy as Picture dialog, even though the 'As Shown on Screen' option works perfectly.

Before you start

Ensure that your computer has a default printer selected and that your printer drivers are fully up to date, as this feature relies on the print spooler to render the image.

Solution 1Recommended

Install Office Updates and Verify Workbook Integrity

Updating Excel and testing the feature in a clean file can resolve glitches tied to specific Office builds or corrupted workbooks.

Microsoft frequently releases patches for known bugs in Microsoft 365. If the issue is tied to a specific build, updating is the fastest solution. Additionally, workbook corruption can isolate the problem to just one file.

Check for Office Updates

Open Excel, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account'. Click on the 'Update Options' drop-down and choose 'Update Now' to download and install available patches.

Test in a Blank Workbook

Create a new, simple workbook by pressing Ctrl + N. Enter some sample data, highlight it, and try the 'Copy as Picture' > 'As Shown When Printed' command again.

Migrate Data if Necessary

If the feature works in the new workbook but fails in your original file, your old workbook may be corrupted. Copy your tabs or data into a freshly created workbook to bypass the error.

Install Office Updates and Verify Workbook Integrity

Record Build Information: If you plan to contact Microsoft Support, note your specific Office product, version, and build number located on the 'File > Account' page.

Solution 2

Run Excel in Safe Mode and Repair Office

Starting in Safe Mode helps determine if an add-in is causing the freeze, while repairing Office fixes deeper installation issues.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Easily Export Spreadsheet Data as Pictures

If Microsoft Excel continues to freeze or struggle with printing features, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and completely free alternative that handles spreadsheet images seamlessly without crashing.

1. Open your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx file.
2. Select the Data: Highlight the range of cells, table, or chart you want to convert into a picture.
3. Copy as Picture: Right-click the selection, navigate to 'Copy as Picture', and smoothly paste it into your desired document without freezing.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Built-in, stable 'Export to Picture' features that don't depend on background print spoolers.Lightweight software architecture that prevents heavy add-in conflicts.Completely free to use with a familiar, tabbed interface for zero learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'As Shown on Screen' work but 'As Shown When Printed' freeze Excel?

The 'As Shown When Printed' option relies on your computer's default printer driver to calculate page margins and render the final layout. If the driver is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, the background rendering process can cause Excel to hang indefinitely.

How can I quickly copy an Excel chart as a picture without using this specific setting?

You can select the chart, press Ctrl+C to copy it normally, switch to your destination application (like Word or PowerPoint), right-click, and choose 'Paste as Picture' (shortcut 'U') from the Paste Options menu.

Can a third-party add-in actually break the copy-as-picture functionality?

Yes. COM add-ins or macros that monitor clipboard activity or interact with the system's printing spooler can interfere with Excel's native layout tools. Running Excel in Safe Mode disables these add-ins, allowing you to isolate and disable the problematic extension.

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