You may need to print an Excel sheet without page numbers appearing at the top or bottom. This often happens when a workbook template or a previous user added page numbers to the header or footer. Page numbers are part of the page setup for printing. This article explains how to clear page numbers from headers and footers so they do not print.
Key Takeaways: Removing Page Numbers from Printouts
- Page Layout view > Header & Footer > Header or Footer > (None): This is the primary method to delete page numbers from a specific worksheet.
- File > Print > Page Setup > Header/Footer tab > (none): Access the full header and footer editor directly from the print preview screen.
- Page Layout tab > Page Setup launcher > Header/Footer tab: Opens the dialog to manage headers and footers without entering print preview.
Understanding Headers, Footers, and Page Setup
Headers and footers are separate areas from the main worksheet grid. They only appear in Page Layout view, Print Preview, and on physical printouts. Page numbers are inserted as special codes like &[Page] within these areas. Changes made here apply only to the active worksheet. You must remove the page number code from the header or footer section to stop it from printing.
Different Header and Footer Sections
Each header and footer has three potential sections: left, center, and right. A page number can be in any one of them. The removal process involves selecting the specific section content and deleting it, or choosing a preset that says (none).
Steps to Delete Page Numbers via Page Layout View
This method lets you see the header and footer areas directly on the worksheet.
- Switch to Page Layout view
Click the View tab on the ribbon. Then, in the Workbook Views group, click the Page Layout button. - Click into the header or footer area
Scroll to the top or bottom of the sheet. You will see text boxes labeled Click to add header or Click to add footer. Click inside the box that contains the page number. - Clear the page number code
The Header & Footer Tools Design tab will appear. In the Header & Footer group, click Header or Footer. From the dropdown list, select the (none) option. This clears all sections of that header or footer. - Return to Normal view
Click the View tab and select Normal to exit Page Layout view. The page numbers are now removed from the print setup.
Steps to Remove Page Numbers from Page Setup
You can also use the Page Setup dialog, which provides more control.
- Open the Page Setup dialog
Go to the Page Layout tab. In the Page Setup group, click the small dialog launcher arrow in the bottom-right corner. - Go to the Header/Footer tab
In the Page Setup dialog box, click the Header/Footer tab. - Set both to (none)
Use the Header dropdown and select (none). Then, use the Footer dropdown and select (none). This ensures all page numbers are cleared. - Apply and confirm
Click OK to close the dialog. Go to File > Print to check the preview. The page numbers should no longer appear.
Common Mistakes and Things to Avoid
Only Clearing the Center Section
If you manually click into a header and press Delete, you might only clear the center section. Page numbers in the left or right sections will remain. Always use the Header or Footer dropdown and select (none) to clear all three sections at once.
Forgetting to Check All Worksheets
Page setup settings are per worksheet. If you have a workbook with multiple sheets, you must repeat the removal process on each sheet where you do not want page numbers. You can select multiple sheet tabs first, then open Page Setup to apply the (none) setting to all selected sheets simultaneously.
Custom Headers and Footers with Other Text
If your header or footer contains other text alongside the page number, selecting (none) will delete everything. To keep the other text, you must edit the header or footer manually. In Page Layout view, click in the section, delete only the &[Page] or &[Pages] code, and leave the remaining text.
Manual Deletion vs. Preset (None): Key Differences
| Item | Manual Deletion in Page Layout View | Using the (None) Preset |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Removing only the page number while keeping other header/footer text | Completely clearing the entire header or footer area |
| Control level | High – you edit specific left, center, or right sections | Low – applies to all three sections at once |
| Risk of error | Higher – you might miss a section or delete wrong text | Lower – a single action clears everything |
| Speed | Slower, requires precise clicking and editing | Faster, one selection completes the task |
You can now print Excel sheets without unwanted page numbers. Use the Page Layout view for quick clearing or the Page Setup dialog for more control. For advanced control, try creating a custom header with your company name but without page numbers by using the Design tab’s elements. Remember to check print preview before sending a large job to the printer.