When you upload an Excel file to OnBoard, the workbook or worksheet displays according to its print layout in Microsoft Excel. Before uploading, you can adjust the page settings to make sure your content is easy to read and displays correctly.

Follow these tips to prepare your Excel file for OnBoard.

1. Adjust the Page Orientation and Margins

Changing the page orientation and margins can help fit more content onto each page, especially for spreadsheets with several columns.

1. Open your workbook in Microsoft Excel.
2. Select the Page Layout tab.
3. Select Orientation and choose Landscape if your spreadsheet has several columns.
4. Select Margins and choose Narrow to reduce the white space around the content. You can also select Custom Margins to adjust them manually.

2. Adjust How the Worksheet Fits on a Page

If your spreadsheet extends across multiple pages, you can adjust the scaling to control how the content is displayed.

1. From the Page Layout tab, locate the Scale to Fit section.
2. Adjust the Width and Height settings:
   • Width: 1 page – Fits all columns onto one page horizontally.
   • Height: Automatic – Allows rows to continue onto additional pages.
   • Width: 1 page / Height: 1 page – Fits the entire worksheet onto a single page.

Tip: For larger spreadsheets, we recommend setting the width to 1 page and leaving the height on Automatic. Condensing a large worksheet onto a single page can make the text difficult to read.

3. Preview the Page Layout Before Uploading

Excel allows you to preview how your spreadsheet will appear when printed, which helps you identify any formatting issues before uploading it to OnBoard.

To preview the page layout:

1. Select the View tab in Excel.
2. Select Page Break Preview to see where the worksheet will be divided into pages.
3. If needed, drag the blue page break lines to adjust where pages begin and end.
4. To see the final printed appearance, select File > Print to open Print Preview.

Review the preview to make sure:

• All columns and rows are visible.
• Content is not being cut off or split awkwardly between pages.
• Text is large enough to read.
• Pages are oriented and spaced appropriately.

4. Additional Formatting Tips

Before saving your Excel file, consider these additional options:

• Hide unnecessary worksheets: Hide any worksheets you do not want to include in the uploaded content.
• Repeat column headings: Under Page Layout > Print Titles, select the rows you want repeated at the top of each printed page.
• Check each worksheet: If your workbook contains multiple worksheets, review the print layout for each one.

5. Save and Upload to OnBoard

Once you're satisfied with the layout, save your Excel file and upload it to OnBoard.

Alternative: Save as a PDF

If your spreadsheet contains a large amount of information, consider saving it as a PDF before uploading it. This allows users to scroll through multiple pages and zoom in on content without needing to condense the entire worksheet onto one page.

Pro Tip: Preview Your Meeting Book

Before changing your meeting's visibility to All Visible, select Open Book to preview the completed meeting packet in OnBoard.

This is a recommended best practice for confirming that your Excel files and other meeting materials display correctly before making them available to members.