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Downloading/Printing Large Excel Files
Eefennie Fam avatar
Written by Eefennie Fam
Updated over a week ago

Excel files are often packed with many cells and complex data. Converting the Excel file to a PDF or printable format can sometimes be a challenge. This process can potentially fail. One common issue is the size of the file, as exceptionally large Excel files can exceed capacity limits. In addition, the page dimensions of the spreadsheet can also play a role, as exceptionally wide or long sheets can be difficult to fit into standard print or PDF page sizes. Furthermore, the compatibility issues between the Excel file and the output format can also contribute to the failure of the conversion.

If you received an error when downloading/printing, here are the steps and possible workarounds


For File Owners


As a file owner, you can download the original Excel file.

1. Click on the three dots (...) next to the file or right-click on the file you wish to view or download.

2. In the dropdown menu, select Download.

3. Select Download Original.



For Sent File Recipients/ Data room Guests


If you're a recipient and encounter an error during the download or printing process, check if the file owner has provided you with permissions to download the original file. Follow these steps to download the original file:


1. Click on the three dots (...) next to the file or right-click on the file you wish to view or download.

2. In the dropdown menu, select Download.

3. Select Download Original.

If you do not see the "Download Original" option or encounter any other issues, you can reach out to the file owner to request the necessary permissions. The file owner may need to replace the original file if the issue persists.


Possible Workarounds to Eliminating Issues (For File Owners)

As the file owner, you have the ability to take proactive actions to resolve some of the conversion issues. Consider the following actions and replace the file if necessary:

  1. Remove Unused Rows/Columns/Sheets: Open the Excel file and delete any unused rows or columns. Sometimes, these rows or columns may appear as blank or white cells in Excel, but they are intended for printing in file settings.

  2. Optimize File Size: Reduce the file size by removing unnecessary data, formatting, or images. Consider compressing images and using more efficient formulas if applicable.

  3. Page Setup: Adjust the page dimensions and layout in Excel to ensure it fits within standard print or PDF page sizes. Ensure that the print area is correctly defined.

  4. File Format: Experiment with different file formats (e.g., XLS, CSV) when converting, as some formats may handle complex data more effectively.

As the file owner, you can also consider giving the recipient the permissions to download the original Excel file:

  1. For document security files: Go to Manage Sent Files and select the Excel file, change the file settings to Allow Download

  2. For data room files: Go to the file's parent folder and select the Excel file. Click Manage Access in the menu. Change the guest's permission for this selected file to Original Download.


Still have any questions?

If you still have questions, you can contact the Digify support team via support@digify.com or via live chat and we can help

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