[Solved] I'm getting zeros in blank cells when I print

[Marscaleb]

I have a spreadsheet used for an invoice my company sends. I have several columns that automatically calculate their value according to values in other columns.

When a row is blank, the cells in these columns are blank. But when I export my sheet to a pdf to send to a client, the blank cells in these columns are now populated with zeros; tiny zeros. I tried printing, but they are still included in the print file. They do not appear in the spreadsheet when I am editing it; only when I print or export to PDF.

I did not have this behavior when I was using Microsoft Office. This looks very ugly and unprofessional. How do I disable this? I want these cells to remain blank, just as they are on my screen.

[erbsenzahl]

Please share an anonymized little file which contains the problem.
Give more information: Operating system? OpenOffice or LibreOffice? Version?

[MrProgrammer]

When a row is blank, the cells in these columns are blank.

I will guess that when a row on your screen appears to be empty, the cells in your columns have formulas which return the value zero. The cells are not blank and the ISBLANK() formula would return FALSE because the value is zero.

But when I export my sheet to a pdf to send to a client, the blank cells in these columns are now populated with zeros;

Since you didn't say, I will guess you are using OpenOffice. I suspect you disabled option Zero values in Calc → View → Display, but didn't disable it in in menu Format → Page → Sheet → Print. Options are set with OpenOffice → Preferences on a Mac, Tools → Options on other platforms. The former setting controls whether zeros are displayed on your screen, the latter whether they are printed on a page.

If you need any additional assistance attach a spreadsheet demonstrating the difficulty (remove confidential information then use Post Reply, not Quick Reply, and don't attach a picture instead of the spreadsheet itself). I will not help further unless you attach a spreadsheet document.

I did not have this behavior when I was using Microsoft Office.

OpenOffice Calc is not intended to be a clone of Microsnot Excel. If the latter better meets your needs you should use it.

If this solved your problem please go to your first post use the Edit ✏️ button and add [Solved] to the start of the Subject field. Select the green checkmark icon at the same time.

[Tutorial] Ten concepts that every Calc user should know

[Marscaleb]

I suspect you disabled option Zero values in Calc → View → Display but didn't disable it in in menu Format → Page → Sheet → Print. Options are set with OpenOffice → Preferences on a Mac, Tools → Options on other platforms. The former setting controls whether zeros are displayed on your screen, the latter whether they are printed on a page.

That was it! Thank you!