Excel is better suited to check printing than Word in one specific way: formulas can convert a numeric amount into the written-out words format a check requires, which removes the most error-prone manual step.
Setting it up
- Set your print area and page size to match your check stock's exact dimensions.
- Use cell formatting and borders (visible only on screen, not when printed) to position the date, payee, and amount fields precisely where your stock expects them.
- Write a formula — or use an add-in — to convert the numeric amount into words. This typically requires a custom function since Excel has no native "spell out this number" formula.
- If you're printing several checks, list payees and amounts in rows and use a simple macro or copy-paste approach to generate one check layout per row.
The limitations
Like Word, Excel has no built-in way to print a real MICR line, and there's no automatic check-number tracking across sessions unless you build that yourself. It works for very low volume, but the setup effort rises fast if you're printing more than a handful of checks.
If you're already comfortable in Excel, it's a fine way to track your check register. For the actual printing, Check Writer 123 handles the amount-in-words conversion, MICR line, and sequential numbering automatically — no formulas required.