Do you have another (newer) printer to test with to see if you get the same
results? Even possibly taking copies of a couple of sample Word and Excel
files to another computer with a different printer? I'm thinking that
perhaps the printer driver for the LJ4100 doesn't recognize or isn't capable
of printing the grayscale range you need.

And you've not only got an old user, but a classy and knowledgable one -
most would have used the vernacular "IBM cards" vs their real name! :-) And,
yes, in my past there are one or two floor-sorts of more than one stack.

"BlueHydrangea" wrote:

Old software ('02), old printer (LJ4100), old user (Hollerith cards), old
problem ... None of the solutions posted here have helped me.

From Word, my printer gives me grey scale text from shades of grey or color.
From Excel, text & narrowest gridlines are printed black, no matter what
I've chosen.

Inserted clips & lines print fine.
Must I settle for simply knowing I'm not alone?