Member Avatar for falkyastra

We had a need to factory restore our PC. It is Windows 7 Home Preimum with SP1. We copied all data off ran the factory restore drive, reinstalled Office 2007, restored all data files and now when we open Excel files we cannot format them proerly. The page breaks will not edit properly. All the Windows Updates are current. The interesting thing is if we copy an excel file to a different PC via flash drive or via email attachment the formatting is proper and no need to edit. We tried this on two different PC's one with Excel 2007 and one with Excel 2010. We ran a repair of Office as well.

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Most likely cause: Excel determines automatic page breaks and print layout from paper size, margins and the active printer/driver. If the factory restore left a different or missing default printer driver, Page Break Preview and manual breaks can appear wrong even though the workbook itself is fine. This matches ’s printer-driver hint and is consistent with how Excel calculates page breaks. Page breaks in Excel: how they work and why Fit To can override manual breaks. (support.microsoft.com)

Practical checks (fast order-of-operations):

  • Confirm the system default printer (Control Panel -> Devices and Printers) and, for a quick test, set it to a built-in queue (Microsoft XPS Document Writer on older Windows, or Microsoft Print to PDF on newer Windows). If the layout fixes, the printer driver was the culprit. Guidance on managing the default printer is available. (learn.microsoft.com)

If Excel behaves differently when a file is double-clicked (hangs or opens slowly) versus opening from inside Excel, that points to startup/add-in or shell/printing interactions. Start Excel in Safe Mode (excel /safe or hold CTRL while launching) to rule out add-ins and XLSTART templates. Also check Page Layout -> Page Setup -> Scaling: the “Fit To” option can neutralize manual page breaks, so switch to an explicit percent if manual breaks should apply. [Open Office apps in Safe Mode / Excel troubleshooting]. (support.microsoft.com)

Quick checklist if problems persist: reset all page breaks in Page Break Preview, update or reinstall the printer driver, test printing to PDF to compare output, run Office Safe Mode/add-in isolation, and try a clean boot or a new Windows user profile. Community guides and practical fixes cover these steps in more detail. (support.microsoft.com)

Notes: OP already repaired Office, so focus on printer/driver, scaling, and Safe Mode isolation before a full Office reinstall. Thanks to for the printer tip and to for highlighting the double-click/startup symptom — both clues point to a local configuration (printer/add-in) issue rather than corrupted XLS content.

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Member Avatar for rproffitt

Can be true when we don't install a printer driver and set it as the default.

Oddity or weird fact.

Member Avatar for finlaywilson45

I was like that when the problem exists when double-clicking in Windows Explorer. Then I get the message that the program isn't responding and have the option to close or wait. After a few moments Excel does eventually open and I can work on the file. I do not have the problem when I open the file directly form Excel.
Read here, perhaps this article will help you - Excel Restore Toolbox

Edited by finlaywilson45
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