How to Print a Document, Picture, or File: Windows & Mac (2024)

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A step-by-step guide to printing a document from your Windows or Mac computer

Written byRain Kengly

Last Updated: August 6, 2024Fact Checked

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  • Using Windows
  • |
  • Using Mac
  • |
  • |
  • Tips
  • |
  • Warnings

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. 1

    Make sure that your printer is connected and turned on. 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.

    • Check your printer's manual to confirm how to set it up if you haven't already done so.
    • Be sure to update your printer drivers.
  2. 2

    Open the document you want to print. This could be a PDF, Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or even photos.

    • Use the File Explorer to find the file if needed.

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  3. 3

    On your keyboard, press Ctrl+P. 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. 4

    Select your printer. 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. 5

    Select a number of copies. 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. 6

    Edit other print settings. 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. 7

    Click Print. 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. 1

    Make sure that your printer is connected and turned on. 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. 2

    Open the document you want to print. This could be a PDF, Word document, Pages document, or even pictures.

    • Use the Finder to find the file if needed.
  3. 3

    On your keyboard, press Command+P. 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. 4

    Select your printer. Click the "Printer" drop-down box, then click your printer's name in the drop-down menu.

  5. 5

    Select a number of copies. Choose the number in the "Copies" field.

  6. 6

    Edit other print settings. 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. 7

    Click Print. 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?

    How to Print a Document, Picture, or File: Windows & Mac (19)

    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.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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    Not Helpful 8Helpful 21

  • Question

    How do I print if there is no file icon to click on?

    How to Print a Document, Picture, or File: Windows & Mac (20)

    Community Answer

    You can use "control + p" to print the document.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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    Not Helpful 7Helpful 19

  • Question

    Can I print from an iPad?

    How to Print a Document, Picture, or File: Windows & Mac (21)

    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.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    Not Helpful 8Helpful 27

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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.

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      • 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.

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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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      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

      How to Print a Document, Picture, or File: Windows & Mac (37)

      Written by:

      Rain Kengly

      wikiHow Technology Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been viewed 847,776 times.

      How helpful is this?

      Co-authors: 45

      Updated: August 6, 2024

      Views:847,776

      Categories: Basic Computer Skills

      Article SummaryX

      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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      How to Print a Document, Picture, or File: Windows & Mac (2024)
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