Your spreadsheet has a clean summary table on the left, calculation columns on the right, and notes scattered around. You want a PDF of just the table. The rest is internal.
Print Selection vs Print Area
Print Selection: one-time. Select cells, File > Print > Print Active Sheets dropdown > Print Selection. Generates the PDF from just the highlighted cells. Doesn't save the setting.
Print Area: persistent. Select cells, Page Layout > Print Area > Set Print Area. Saved with the file. Every future PDF uses the same area until you change it.
When to use which
Print Selection for a one-off — you want the PDF once and won't repeat. Print Area for spreadsheets you'll convert repeatedly (monthly reports, regular exports). Set it once, every future conversion respects it.
Excel Tables (the feature)
If your data is set up as an Excel Table (Insert > Table), you can select the table specifically — click any cell in the table, then Print Selection. Excel scopes the print to the table boundaries automatically.
This is the cleanest way to print a table that grows or shrinks — the print scope follows the table's current size.
Convert and verify
Run Excel to PDF after setting the area or selection. The PDF should contain only the cells you scoped. Always check the output before sending — Print Preview is the canonical reference, and the PDF should match.
FAQ
Will Print Area save with the file?
Yes — it persists across saves. Print Selection doesn't.
Can I have different selections per export?
Use Print Selection for one-offs. Or change the Print Area before each export and save.
What about hidden columns within the area?
Hidden columns are excluded from the PDF. Unhide them first if they should appear.
Multiple selections?
Hold Cmd/Ctrl while selecting non-contiguous ranges, then Print Selection. Each range prints on its own page.
Scope it, convert it, send it. Convert your Excel to PDF with just the table.