2 Simple Ways to Print a Document From Your Computer

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A step-by-step guide to printing a document from your Windows or Mac computer
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Do you have important documents or school assignments to print? You can easily print a file if you have a computer and a working printer. Be sure your printer is updated and connected to your computer. If it's wireless, make sure it's on the same Wi-Fi network. You'll be able to print a variety of files, such as PDF, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and more. This wikiHow will show you how to print a document using your Windows or Mac computer.

Printing Documents on Windows or Mac

  • Make sure your printer is updated, connected, and turned on. It must be added to your computer's devices.
  • On Windows, open the document. Press "Ctrl" + "P" to open the print menu. Adjust the settings, and then click "Print".
  • On Mac, open the document. Press "CMD" + "P" to open the print menu. Adjust the settings, and then click "Print".
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Windows

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  1. If your printer connects over Wi-Fi , this will mean making sure that you're on the same Internet network as your printer; otherwise, you'll need to plug your printer's USB cable into your computer. [1]
  2. This could be a PDF , Word document, Excel spreadsheet , or even photos.
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  3. This is the keyboard shortcut to open the print menu.
    • You can also manually open the print menu by clicking the printer icon.
    • In some apps, you'll need to click File and then Print .
    • The print menu may look different depending on the application used to open your file.
  4. Click the "Printer" drop-down box, then click your printer's name.
    • If you don't see your printer, you'll need to add it.
  5. In the "Copies" box, type in the number of copies of the document that you'd like to print. [2]
    • This is different than the number of pages.
  6. The menu for each document type will vary, but you'll have the following options for most documents: [3]
    • Orientation : Determine whether your document is oriented vertically or horizontally.
    • Color : Decide between printing in black and white or including color printing. You must have colored ink in your printer to print in color.
    • Number of sides - Choose single-sided printing to print one sheet of paper per page, or choose double-sided printing to use both sides of a piece of paper.
  7. It's either at the bottom of the window or at the top of the window. Your document will begin printing.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Mac

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  1. If your printer connects over Wi-Fi, this will mean making sure that you're on the same Internet network as your printer; otherwise, you'll need to plug your printer's USB cable into your computer.
    • Be sure to update your printer drivers.
  2. This could be a PDF, Word document, Pages document, or even pictures. [4]
  3. This is the keyboard shortcut to open the print menu. [5]
    • You can also click File at the top toolbar and then Print .
    • The print menu may look different depending on the application used to open your file.
  4. Click the "Printer" drop-down box, then click your printer's name in the drop-down menu.
  5. Choose the number in the "Copies" field.
  6. Click Show Details to expand the "Pages" settings. [6]
    • Pages : Select pages to print. If you leave "All" selected, your entire document will print.
    • Paper size : Use this option to scale your printer's margins up or down for different paper sizes.
    • Orientation : Determine whether your document is oriented vertically or horizontally.
    • Number of sides : Choose single-sided printing to print one sheet of paper per page, or choose double-sided printing to use both sides of a piece of paper.
  7. It's in the bottom-right corner of the window. Your document will begin printing. [7]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I print on an Asus laptop?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can print on almost all laptops. If you have a good printer and a newer model laptop, you should be able to print wirelessly.
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    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 27
  • Question
    How do I print if there is no file icon to click on?
    Community Answer
    You can use "control + p" to print the document.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Can I print from an iPad?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you are using Word or Pages on iPad, you can go to file, and then print. If you wish to print a picture, you can click on share, and then select the print option.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • It's also possible to print from your iPhone if you have the right app or an AirPrint-supported printer, or from your Android with CloudPrint. [8]
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      • If you're uncertain about your printer settings or your document's appearance, try printing the first page only to get an idea of what the document will look like once printed.
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      • Always keep spare cartridges of ink or toner with your personal printer. If a printer is low on ink or toner, the document will not print correctly.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • It’s frustrating to run into printing issues with your own computer. If you’re struggling to print correctly, just toss the document on a thumb drive and hit up your local library. They’ll print the document out for you.
      • If you ever have to print something on the road, ask whoever is at the hotel desk. They’ll either print the document for you or direct you to a conference room where you can print the document.
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      Warnings

      • If your computer, printer, and/or document's program are outdated, you might not be able to print correctly.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-printer-connection-and-printing-problems-in-windows-fb830bff-7702-6349-33cd-9443fe987f73
      2. ↑ https://www.marquette.edu/its/help/printing/documents/canon-printer-defaults.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.marquette.edu/its/help/printing/documents/canon-printer-defaults.pdf
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/print-documents-mh35838/mac
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/print-documents-mh35838/mac
      6. ↑ https://www.uvm.edu/cosmolab/om/brother/html/ug/chapter3_1_2.html
      7. ↑ https://etc.usf.edu/techease/mac/hardware/how-do-i-print-in-on-the-mac/
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109349

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Turn on the printer.
      2. Connect to the printer.
      3. Open the document.
      4. Press Control + P (Windows) or Command + P (Mac).
      5. Select your printer.
      6. Click Print .

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