Export Calc sheet as PDF preserving appearance

[Evgeny.M]

Hello,

I’d like to export a Calc sheet to PDF for viewing, not printing. I’d like to preserve the way the sheet looks in Calc as much as possible. This means a single page for the whole sheet, 100% zoom and gray grid lines.

This thread says that to fit the whole sheet on one page I have to change physical page size. But how do I find the natural size of the whole sheet? The only ways I found so far are adding the width of every column (found through Format > Columns > Width), or setting page size using trial-and-error. Second, after I check “Grid” in Format > Page > Sheet, gridlines are indeed printed, but they are black and not gray as in Calc itself. How do I change that?

If I may add, I find it frustrating that exporting a sheet is linked to printing on physical pages. If I wanted a printed output, I would use “Print to PDF”. I am interested in exporting a sheet, i.e., having in a PDF file what I see in Calc.

Thank you.

[Lupp]

Next to what you see will be a screenshot saved in an image format.

If I may add, I find it frustrating how everyone expects any software to act exactly as he (f/m) wants (for the moment).

I see 2 options coming near to what6 you might want.

1. A screenshot (in Win: Ctrl+Alt+Print on the keyboard), saved as a graphic (.png e.g.)

1a) The application window with it’s content.

1b) A full screen view of the sheet.

2. A printout or a pdf containing a “fake grid” obtained by setting cell borders in light gray.

The attached examples may demonstrate the effacts. If you have decided which option you prefer I can post details about how to achieve it.

If the working range won’t be readable I can’t imagine a solution.

WholeSheet20x60AppWin.png
WholeSheet20x60FullScreen.png
RangeOfSheet20x60Grid.pdf.png

I had to append a fake extension to the pdf. You will need to remove it before opening.

[mariosv]

+1 @Lupp, And if I am not wrong, physical pages it’s also a PDF matter. On the other hand it’s possible in LibreOffice set up the page size up to 300x300cm in Format>Page>Page I think more than enough.

[Evgeny.M]

My spreadsheet is 60 x 20 cells. If I fit it in one screen to take a screenshot, it becomes unreadable. I take it there is no method for finding the spreadsheet size and changing printed grid color? Perhaps there is a function or macro similar to that in Excel described here?

[mariosv]

I think size it’s not a problem, but color yes grid it’s always printed in black. But giving cells border the color you like seems a good workaround. PaperSize+CellBorders.ods, please export this file to pdf.