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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.
  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.
    • 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:
    • 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.
  3. This is the keyboard shortcut to open the print menu. [1]
    • 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.
    • 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.
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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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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      Tips

      • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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.

      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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      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 .

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 875,790 times.

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