diff --git a/js/buttons.html5.js b/js/buttons.html5.js
index 42e3dad8..0ce4e078 100644
--- a/js/buttons.html5.js
+++ b/js/buttons.html5.js
@@ -309,8 +309,34 @@ var _exportData = function ( dt, config )
 		return s;
 	};
 
-	var header = config.header ? join( data.header )+newLine : '';
-	var footer = config.footer && data.footer ? newLine+join( data.footer ) : '';
+    /* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+	//var header = config.header ? join( data.header )+newLine : '';
+	if (config.header) {
+		var header = [];
+		for (var i=0, ien=data.header.length; i<ien; i++ ) {
+			var rawHeader = data.header[i];
+			rawHeader.forEach(function(item, i) { if (item == "_colspan_" || item == "_rowspan_") rawHeader[i] = ''; });
+			header.push( join(rawHeader) );
+		}
+		header = header.join(newLine) + newLine;
+	} else {
+		header = '';
+	}
+		
+	//var footer = config.footer && data.footer ? newLine+join( data.footer ) : '';
+	if (config.footer && data.footer) {
+		var footer = [];
+		for (var i=0, ien=data.footer.length; i<ien; i++ ) {
+			var rawFooter = data.footer[i];
+			rawFooter.forEach(function(item, i) { if (item == "_colspan_" || item == "_rowspan_") rawFooter[i] = ''; });
+			footer.push( join(rawFooter) );
+		}
+		footer = newLine + footer.join(newLine) ;
+	} else {
+		footer = '';
+	}
+	/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
+
 	var body = [];
 
 	for ( var i=0, ien=data.body.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
@@ -489,12 +515,32 @@ function _createNode( doc, nodeName, opts ) {
  * @return {int}         Column width
  */
 function _excelColWidth( data, col ) {
-	var max = data.header[col].length;
+	/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+	//var max = data.header[col].length;
+
+	// gets the largest width of column col
+	var max = 0;
+	for (i = 0; i<data.header.length; i++) {
+		max = Math.max(max, data.header[i][col].length);
+	} 
+	/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 	var len, lineSplit, str;
 
-	if ( data.footer && data.footer[col].length > max ) {
+	/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+	/*if ( data.footer && data.footer[col].length > max ) {
 		max = data.footer[col].length;
 	}
+	*/
+
+	if ( data.footer) {
+		var maxFooter = 0;
+		for (i = 0; i<data.footer.length; i++) {
+			maxFooter = Math.max(maxFooter, data.footer[i][col].length);
+		}
+
+		max = Math.max(max, maxFooter);
+	}
+	/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 
 	for ( var i=0, ien=data.body.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
 		var point = data.body[i][col];
@@ -1165,19 +1211,132 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.excelHtml5 = {
 		var exportInfo = dt.buttons.exportInfo( config );
 		if ( exportInfo.title ) {
 			addRow( [exportInfo.title], rowPos );
-			mergeCells( rowPos, data.header.length-1 );
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			//mergeCells( rowPos, data.header.length-1 );
+			mergeCells( rowPos, data.header[data.header.length - 1].length-1 );
+			/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		}
 
 		if ( exportInfo.messageTop ) {
 			addRow( [exportInfo.messageTop], rowPos );
-			mergeCells( rowPos, data.header.length-1 );
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			//mergeCells( rowPos, data.header.length-1 );
+			mergeCells( rowPos, data.header[data.header.length - 1].length-1 );
+			/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		}
 
 
 		// Table itself
 		if ( config.header ) {
-			addRow( data.header, rowPos );
-			$('row:last c', rels).attr( 's', '2' ); // bold
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			//addRow( data.header, rowPos );
+			//$('row:last c', rels).attr( 's', '2' ); // bold
+
+			var headerStartRow = rowPos;
+
+			// adds header, without merges:
+			for ( var i=0, ien=data.header.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+				addRow(data.header[i], rowPos);
+				$("row:last c", rels).attr("s", "2"); // bold
+            }
+            
+
+            // process merged cells:
+            var mgCnt = 0;
+            var merges=[];
+
+            //for each header row
+            for ( var i=0, ien=data.header.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+
+              //for each column (cell) in the row
+              for(var j=0; j<data.header[i].length; j++)
+              {
+                //look for a non-colspan/rowspan cell
+                if(data.header[i][j] != "_colspan_" && data.header[i][j] != "_rowspan_") 
+                {
+                  var startRow = i;
+                  var startCol = j;
+                  var endRow = i;
+                  var endCol = j;
+                                       
+                  //lookahead
+                  if(j+1 < data.header[i].length){ 
+                      if(data.header[i][j+1] == "_colspan_") //is the cell to the right a colspan?
+                      { 
+                        
+                        startCol = j;
+                        endCol = j+1;
+
+                        //get to the last column in the colspan
+                        while(endCol < data.header[i].length && data.header[i][endCol] == "_colspan_")
+                        {
+                          endCol++;
+                        }
+                        endCol--;
+                      }
+                   }
+                  
+                  if(i+1 < data.header.length) {
+                      if(data.header[i+1][j] == "_rowspan_") //is the cell below a rowspan?
+                      {  
+                        
+                        startRow = i;
+                        endRow = i+1;
+
+                        //get to the last row in the rowspan
+                        while(endRow < data.header.length && data.header[endRow][j] == "_rowspan_")
+                        {
+                          endRow++;
+                        }
+                      }
+                  }
+                  
+                  //create and store merge ranges
+                  //if endCol or endRow show movement
+                  if(startRow != endRow || startCol != endCol)
+                  {
+                    var sC = createCellPos(startCol); //convert startCol to excel column letter
+                    var sR = startRow+1+headerStartRow; // actual row to be merged needs to take into account 0 index and current row (g)
+                    var eC = createCellPos(endCol); //convert endCol to excel column letter
+                    var eR = endRow+headerStartRow; // actual row to be merged needs to take into account 0 index and current row (g)
+                                            
+                    merges[mgCnt] = sC+""+sR; //start of range
+                    
+                    if(endCol > startCol){ //end column
+                      merges[mgCnt] = merges[mgCnt] + ":" + eC;
+                    } else {
+                      merges[mgCnt] = merges[mgCnt] + ":" + sC;
+                    }
+                    
+                    if(endRow > startRow) { //end row
+                      merges[mgCnt] = merges[mgCnt] + eR;
+                    } else {
+                      merges[mgCnt] = merges[mgCnt] + sR;
+                    }
+                                            
+                    mgCnt++; //increment number of merge ranges
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            }               
+            
+
+
+            if (mgCnt > 0) {
+              //add each merge range as a child
+              var headerMerges = $("mergeCells", rels);
+              for(i=0;i<mgCnt;i++)
+              {
+
+              	headerMerges[0].appendChild(_createNode(rels, "mergeCell", {
+                        attr: {
+                            ref: merges[i]
+                        }
+                    }));
+              	headerMerges.attr("count", parseFloat(headerMerges.attr("count")) + 1);
+              }
+            }
+			/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		}
 	
 		dataStartRow = rowPos;
@@ -1189,21 +1348,136 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.excelHtml5 = {
 		dataEndRow = rowPos;
 
 		if ( config.footer && data.footer ) {
-			addRow( data.footer, rowPos);
-			$('row:last c', rels).attr( 's', '2' ); // bold
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			//addRow( data.footer, rowPos);
+			//$('row:last c', rels).attr( 's', '2' ); // bold
+
+
+			var footerStartRow = rowPos;
+
+			// adds header, without merges:
+			for ( var i=0, ien=data.footer.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+				addRow(data.footer[i], rowPos);
+				$("row:last c", rels).attr("s", "2"); // bold
+            }
+            
+
+            // process merged cells:
+            var mgCnt = 0;
+            var merges=[];
+
+            //for each footer row
+            for ( var i=0, ien=data.footer.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+
+              //for each column (cell) in the row
+              for(var j=0; j<data.footer[i].length; j++)
+              {
+                //look for a non-colspan/rowspan cell
+                if(data.footer[i][j] != "_colspan_" && data.footer[i][j] != "_rowspan_") 
+                {
+                  var startRow = i;
+                  var startCol = j;
+                  var endRow = i;
+                  var endCol = j;
+                                       
+                  //lookahead
+                  if(j+1 < data.footer[i].length){ 
+                      if(data.footer[i][j+1] == "_colspan_") //is the cell to the right a colspan?
+                      { 
+                        
+                        startCol = j;
+                        endCol = j+1;
+
+                        //get to the last column in the colspan
+                        while(endCol < data.footer[i].length && data.footer[i][endCol] == "_colspan_")
+                        {
+                          endCol++;
+                        }
+                        endCol--;
+                      }
+                   }
+                  
+                  if(i+1 < data.footer.length) {
+                      if(data.footer[i+1][j] == "_rowspan_") //is the cell below a rowspan?
+                      {  
+                        
+                        startRow = i;
+                        endRow = i+1;
+
+                        //get to the last row in the rowspan
+                        while(endRow < data.footer.length && data.footer[endRow][j] == "_rowspan_")
+                        {
+                          endRow++;
+                        }
+                      }
+                  }
+                  
+                  //create and store merge ranges
+                  //if endCol or endRow show movement
+                  if(startRow != endRow || startCol != endCol)
+                  {
+                    var sC = createCellPos(startCol); //convert startCol to excel column letter
+                    var sR = startRow+1+footerStartRow; // actual row to be merged needs to take into account 0 index and current row (g)
+                    var eC = createCellPos(endCol); //convert endCol to excel column letter
+                    var eR = endRow+footerStartRow; // actual row to be merged needs to take into account 0 index and current row (g)
+                                            
+                    merges[mgCnt] = sC+""+sR; //start of range
+                    
+                    if(endCol > startCol){ //end column
+                      merges[mgCnt] = merges[mgCnt] + ":" + eC;
+                    } else {
+                      merges[mgCnt] = merges[mgCnt] + ":" + sC;
+                    }
+                    
+                    if(endRow > startRow) { //end row
+                      merges[mgCnt] = merges[mgCnt] + eR;
+                    } else {
+                      merges[mgCnt] = merges[mgCnt] + sR;
+                    }
+                                            
+                    mgCnt++; //increment number of merge ranges
+                  }
+                }
+              }
+            }               
+            
+
+
+            if (mgCnt > 0) {
+              //add each merge range as a child
+              var footerMerges = $("mergeCells", rels);
+              for(i=0;i<mgCnt;i++)
+              {
+
+              	footerMerges[0].appendChild(_createNode(rels, "mergeCell", {
+                        attr: {
+                            ref: merges[i]
+                        }
+                    }));
+              	footerMerges.attr("count", parseFloat(footerMerges.attr("count")) + 1);
+              }
+            }
+
+        	/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		}
 
 		// Below the table
 		if ( exportInfo.messageBottom ) {
 			addRow( [exportInfo.messageBottom], rowPos );
-			mergeCells( rowPos, data.header.length-1 );
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			//mergeCells( rowPos, data.header.length-1 );
+			mergeCells( rowPos, data.header[data.header.length - 1].length-1 );
+			/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */		
 		}
 
 		// Set column widths
 		var cols = _createNode( rels, 'cols' );
 		$('worksheet', rels).prepend( cols );
 
-		for ( var i=0, ien=data.header.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+		/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+		//for ( var i=0, ien=data.header.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+		for ( var i=0, ien=data.header[data.header.length - 1].length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+		/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */			
 			cols.appendChild( _createNode( rels, 'col', {
 				attr: {
 					min: i+1,
@@ -1223,7 +1497,10 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.excelHtml5 = {
 		if ( config.autoFilter ) {
 			$('mergeCells', rels).before( _createNode( rels, 'autoFilter', {
 				attr: {
-					ref: 'A'+dataStartRow+':'+createCellPos(data.header.length-1)+dataEndRow
+					/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+					//ref: 'A'+dataStartRow+':'+createCellPos(data.header.length-1)+dataEndRow
+					ref: 'A'+dataStartRow+':'+createCellPos(data.header[data.header.length - 1].length-1)+dataEndRow
+					/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */		
 				}
 			} ) );
 
@@ -1233,7 +1510,10 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.excelHtml5 = {
 					localSheetId: '0',
 					hidden: 1
 				},
-				text: _sheetname(config)+'!$A$'+dataStartRow+':'+createCellPos(data.header.length-1)+dataEndRow
+				/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+				//text: _sheetname(config)+'!$A$'+dataStartRow+':'+createCellPos(data.header.length-1)+dataEndRow
+				text: _sheetname(config)+'!$A$'+dataStartRow+':'+createCellPos(data.header[data.header.length - 1].length-1)+dataEndRow
+				/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */	
 			} ) );
 		}
 
@@ -1321,12 +1601,79 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.pdfHtml5 = {
 		var rows = [];
 
 		if ( config.header ) {
-			rows.push( $.map( data.header, function ( d ) {
-				return {
-					text: typeof d === 'string' ? d : d+'',
-					style: 'tableHeader'
-				};
-			} ) );
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			/*for ( var i=0, ien=data.header.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+				rows.push( $.map( data.header[i], function ( d ) {
+					return {
+						text: typeof d === 'string' ? d : d+'',
+						style: 'tableHeader'
+					};
+				} ) );
+			}*/
+			//for each header row
+            for ( var i=0, ien=data.header.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {	
+              var this_row = [];              
+
+              	//for each column (cell) in the row
+              	for(var j=0; j<data.header[i].length; j++) {
+	                //look for a non-colspan/rowspan cell
+	                if(data.header[i][j] != "_colspan_" && data.header[i][j] != "_rowspan_") {
+	                	var startRow = i;
+		                var startCol = j;
+		                var endRow = i;
+		                var endCol = j;
+	                                       
+	                    //lookahead
+	                    if(j+1 < data.header[i].length){ 
+	                        if(data.header[i][j+1] == "_colspan_") { //is the cell next to a colspan?
+	                          
+	                          startCol = j;
+	                          endCol = j+1;
+	  
+	                          //get to the last column in the colspan
+	                          while(endCol < data.header[i].length && data.header[i][endCol] == "_colspan_") {
+	                            endCol++;
+	                          }
+	                          endCol--;
+	                        }
+	                     }
+	                    
+	                    if(i+1 < data.header.length) {
+	                        if(data.header[i+1][j] == "_rowspan_") //is the cell above a rowspan?
+	                        {  
+	                          
+	                          startRow = i;
+	                          endRow = i+1;
+	  
+	                          //get to the last row in the rowspan
+	                          while(endRow < data.header.length - 1 && data.header[endRow][j] == "_rowspan_") {
+	                            endRow++;
+	                          }
+	                        }
+	                    }
+	                    
+		                //create and store merged ranges
+		                //if endCol or endRow show movement
+		                   
+		                var cspan = endCol - startCol + 1;
+		                var rspan = endRow - startRow + 1;  
+		                var d = data.header[i][j];
+
+		                this_row.push ({
+		                		text: typeof d === 'string' ? d : d+'',
+								style: 'tableHeader',
+								colSpan: cspan,
+								rowSpan: rspan
+		                	});
+                	} else {
+                		this_row.push ({});
+                	}
+              	}
+
+              rows.push(this_row);
+
+            }    
+    		/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		}
 
 		for ( var i=0, ien=data.body.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
@@ -1342,12 +1689,79 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.pdfHtml5 = {
 		}
 
 		if ( config.footer && data.footer) {
-			rows.push( $.map( data.footer, function ( d ) {
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			/*rows.push( $.map( data.footer, function ( d ) {
 				return {
 					text: typeof d === 'string' ? d : d+'',
 					style: 'tableFooter'
 				};
 			} ) );
+			*/
+			
+			//for each footer row
+            for ( var i=0, ien=data.footer.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {	
+              var this_row = [];              
+
+              	//for each column (cell) in the row
+              	for(var j=0; j<data.footer[i].length; j++) {
+	                //look for a non-colspan/rowspan cell
+	                if(data.footer[i][j] != "_colspan_" && data.footer[i][j] != "_rowspan_") {
+	                	var startRow = i;
+		                var startCol = j;
+		                var endRow = i;
+		                var endCol = j;
+	                                       
+	                    //lookahead
+	                    if(j+1 < data.footer[i].length){ 
+	                        if(data.footer[i][j+1] == "_colspan_") { //is the cell next to a colspan?
+	                          
+	                          startCol = j;
+	                          endCol = j+1;
+	  
+	                          //get to the last column in the colspan
+	                          while(endCol < data.footer[i].length && data.footer[i][endCol] == "_colspan_") {
+	                            endCol++;
+	                          }
+	                          endCol--;
+	                        }
+	                     }
+	                    
+	                    if(i+1 < data.footer.length) {
+	                        if(data.footer[i+1][j] == "_rowspan_") //is the cell above a rowspan?
+	                        {  
+	                          
+	                          startRow = i;
+	                          endRow = i+1;
+	  
+	                          //get to the last row in the rowspan
+	                          while(endRow < data.footer.length - 1 && data.footer[endRow][j] == "_rowspan_") {
+	                            endRow++;
+	                          }
+	                        }
+	                    }
+	                    
+		                //create and store merged ranges
+		                //if endCol or endRow show movement
+		                   
+		                var cspan = endCol - startCol + 1;
+		                var rspan = endRow - startRow + 1;  
+		                var d = data.footer[i][j];
+
+		                this_row.push ({
+		                		text: typeof d === 'string' ? d : d+'',
+								style: 'tableFooter',
+								colSpan: cspan,
+								rowSpan: rspan
+		                	});
+                	} else {
+                		this_row.push ({});
+                	}
+              	}
+
+              rows.push(this_row);
+
+            }    
+    		/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		}
 
 		var doc = {
@@ -1356,7 +1770,10 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.pdfHtml5 = {
 			content: [
 				{
 					table: {
-						headerRows: 1,
+						/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+						//headerRows: 1,
+						headerRows: data.header.length,
+						/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 						body: rows
 					},
 					layout: 'noBorders'
diff --git a/js/buttons.print.js b/js/buttons.print.js
index 87ee5614..2419350e 100644
--- a/js/buttons.print.js
+++ b/js/buttons.print.js
@@ -121,7 +121,72 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.print = {
 		var html = '<table class="'+dt.table().node().className+'">';
 
 		if ( config.header ) {
-			html += '<thead>'+ addRow( data.header, 'th' ) +'</thead>';
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			//html += '<thead>'+ addRow( data.header, 'th' ) +'</thead>';
+			html += "<thead>";
+
+			//for each header row
+			for ( var i=0, ien=data.header.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+            	html += "<tr>";
+              
+              	//for each column (cell) in the row
+              	for(var j=0; j<data.header[i].length; j++) {
+	                //look for a non-colspan/rowspan cell
+	                if(data.header[i][j] != "_colspan_" && data.header[i][j] != "_rowspan_") {
+	                	var startRow = i;
+		                var startCol = j;
+		                var endRow = i;
+		                var endCol = j;
+	                                       
+	                    //lookahead
+	                    if(j+1 < data.header[i].length){ 
+	                        if(data.header[i][j+1] == "_colspan_") { //is the cell next to a colspan?
+	                          
+	                          startCol = j;
+	                          endCol = j+1;
+	  
+	                          //get to the last column in the colspan
+	                          while(endCol < data.header[i].length && data.header[i][endCol] == "_colspan_") {
+	                            endCol++;
+	                          }
+	                          endCol--;
+	                        }
+	                     }
+	                    
+	                    if(i+1 < data.header.length) {
+	                        if(data.header[i+1][j] == "_rowspan_") //is the cell above a rowspan?
+	                        {  
+	                          
+	                          startRow = i;
+	                          endRow = i+1;
+	  
+	                          //get to the last row in the rowspan
+	                          while(endRow < data.header.length - 1 && data.header[endRow][j] == "_rowspan_") {
+	                            endRow++;
+	                          }
+	                        }
+	                    }
+	                    
+		                //create and store merged ranges
+		                //if endCol or endRow show movement
+		                   
+		                var cspan = endCol - startCol + 1;
+		                var rspan = endRow - startRow + 1;  
+
+		                var classAttr = columnClasses[j] ?
+						'class="'+columnClasses[j]+'"' :
+						'';
+	              
+
+	                	html += '<th colspan="' + cspan + '" rowspan="' + rspan + '" ' +classAttr+'>' + data.header[i][j] + '</th>'
+                	}
+              	}
+				
+				html += "</tr>";
+            }               
+            
+            html += "</thead>";
+            /* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		}
 
 		html += '<tbody>';
@@ -131,10 +196,74 @@ DataTable.ext.buttons.print = {
 		html += '</tbody>';
 
 		if ( config.footer && data.footer ) {
-			html += '<tfoot>'+ addRow( data.footer, 'th' ) +'</tfoot>';
+			/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+			//html += '<tfoot>'+ addRow( data.footer, 'th' ) +'</tfoot>';
+			html += "<tfoot>";
+
+			//for each footer row
+			for ( var i=0, ien=data.footer.length ; i<ien ; i++ ) {
+            	html += "<tr>";
+              
+              	//for each column (cell) in the row
+              	for(var j=0; j<data.footer[i].length; j++) {
+	                //look for a non-colspan/rowspan cell
+	                if(data.footer[i][j] != "_colspan_" && data.footer[i][j] != "_rowspan_") {
+	                	var startRow = i;
+		                var startCol = j;
+		                var endRow = i;
+		                var endCol = j;
+	                                       
+	                    //lookahead
+	                    if(j+1 < data.footer[i].length){ 
+	                        if(data.footer[i][j+1] == "_colspan_") { //is the cell next to a colspan?
+	                          
+	                          startCol = j;
+	                          endCol = j+1;
+	  
+	                          //get to the last column in the colspan
+	                          while(endCol < data.footer[i].length && data.footer[i][endCol] == "_colspan_") {
+	                            endCol++;
+	                          }
+	                          endCol--;
+	                        }
+	                     }
+	                    
+	                    if(i+1 < data.footer.length) {
+	                        if(data.footer[i+1][j] == "_rowspan_") //is the cell above a rowspan?
+	                        {  
+	                          
+	                          startRow = i;
+	                          endRow = i+1;
+	  
+	                          //get to the last row in the rowspan
+	                          while(endRow < data.footer.length - 1 && data.footer[endRow][j] == "_rowspan_") {
+	                            endRow++;
+	                          }
+	                        }
+	                    }
+	                    
+		                //create and store merged ranges
+		                //if endCol or endRow show movement
+		                   
+		                var cspan = endCol - startCol + 1;
+		                var rspan = endRow - startRow + 1;  
+
+		                var classAttr = columnClasses[j] ?
+						'class="'+columnClasses[j]+'"' :
+						'';
+	              
+
+	                	html += '<th colspan="' + cspan + '" rowspan="' + rspan + '" ' +classAttr+'>' + data.footer[i][j] + '</th>'
+                	}
+              	}
+				
+				html += "</tr>";
+            }               
+            
+            html += "</tfoot>";
+			/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		}
 		html += '</table>';
-
 		// Open a new window for the printable table
 		var win = window.open( '', '' );
 		win.document.close();
diff --git a/js/dataTables.buttons.js b/js/dataTables.buttons.js
index 4ff56907..278985dd 100644
--- a/js/dataTables.buttons.js
+++ b/js/dataTables.buttons.js
@@ -1984,6 +1984,71 @@ var _message = function ( dt, option, position )
 
 
 
+/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+/**
+ * getHeadersFooters - function to read full data content based on dt.aoHeader or dt.aoFooter and convert it into matrix
+ * form for exporting.
+ *
+ */
+var getHeadersFooters = function( thRows ){
+    
+    var numRows = thRows.length;
+    var numCols = thRows[0].length;
+    var matrix = [];
+
+    //initialize matrix with "_getHeadersFooters_initialized_" string
+    for ( var rowIdx = 0;  rowIdx < numRows;  rowIdx++ ) {
+    	matrix[rowIdx] = [];
+    	for ( var colIdx = 0;  colIdx < numCols;  colIdx++ ){
+    		matrix[rowIdx][colIdx] = "_getHeadersFooters_initialized_"
+    	}
+    }
+
+    // Iterate over each row of the header and add information to matrix.
+    for ( var rowIdx = 0;  rowIdx < numRows;  rowIdx++ ) {
+        var $row = thRows[rowIdx];
+        
+        // Iterate over all columns specified in this row.
+        for ( var colIdx = 0;  colIdx < numCols;  colIdx++ )
+        {
+            var $th = $($row[colIdx].cell);
+            var is_unique = $row[colIdx].unique;
+            var colspan = $th.attr("colspan") || 1;
+            var rowspan = $th.attr("rowspan") || 1;
+            var cellIndex = $row[colIdx].cell.cellIndex;
+            
+            
+            // If the cell has been initialized but not changed, update
+          	if (matrix[rowIdx][colIdx]=="_getHeadersFooters_initialized_") {
+
+          		matrix[rowIdx][colIdx] = $th.text();
+
+              	// rowspan
+              	for(var expand = 1; expand < rowspan; expand++){
+              		matrix[rowIdx+expand][colIdx]="_rowspan_";
+              	}
+
+              	// colspan
+              	// colspan will be incorrect for hidden columns (colvis)
+              	// but cellIndex will correctly find them, in combination with unique
+				expand = 1;
+				if (!is_unique){
+					if (colIdx + expand < numCols) {
+		              	var next_cellIndex = $row[colIdx+expand].cell.cellIndex;
+		              	while(cellIndex == next_cellIndex){
+		              		matrix[rowIdx][colIdx+expand]="_colspan_";
+		              		expand++;
+		              		if (colIdx + expand >= numCols) break;
+		              		next_cellIndex = $row[colIdx+expand].cell.cellIndex;
+		              	}
+		            }
+	            }
+          	} 	
+        }
+    }
+    return matrix;
+};
+/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 
 
 var _exportTextarea = $('<textarea/>')[0];
@@ -2046,19 +2111,47 @@ var _exportData = function ( dt, inOpts )
 		return str;
 	};
 
-
-	var header = dt.columns( config.columns ).indexes().map( function (idx) {
+	/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+	/*var header = dt.columns( config.columns ).indexes().map( function (idx) {
 		var el = dt.column( idx ).header();
 		return config.format.header( el.innerHTML, idx, el );
 	} ).toArray();
-
-	var footer = dt.table().footer() ?
+	*/
+    var rawHeaderMatrix = getHeadersFooters( dt.settings()[0].aoHeader );
+    var headerMatrix = [];
+    var numRows = rawHeaderMatrix.length;
+    for ( var rowIdx = 0;  rowIdx < numRows;  rowIdx++ ) {
+    	var headerRow = dt.columns( config.columns ).indexes().map( function (idx) {
+             var el = rawHeaderMatrix[rowIdx][idx];
+             return config.format.header(el, idx, el);
+        } ).toArray();
+       headerMatrix.push( headerRow );
+    }
+
+	/*var footer = dt.table().footer() ?
 		dt.columns( config.columns ).indexes().map( function (idx) {
 			var el = dt.column( idx ).footer();
 			return config.format.footer( el ? el.innerHTML : '', idx, el );
 		} ).toArray() :
 		null;
-	
+	*/
+	if (dt.table().footer()) {
+		var rawFooterMatrix = getHeadersFooters( dt.settings()[0].aoFooter );
+	    var footerMatrix = [];
+	    var numRows = rawFooterMatrix.length;
+	    for ( var rowIdx = 0;  rowIdx < numRows;  rowIdx++ ) {
+	    	var footerRow = dt.columns( config.columns ).indexes().map( function (idx) {
+	             var el = rawFooterMatrix[rowIdx][idx];
+	             return config.format.footer(el, idx, el);
+	        } ).toArray();
+	       footerMatrix.push( footerRow );
+	    }
+
+	} else {
+		var footerMatrix = null;
+	}
+	/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
+
 	// If Select is available on this table, and any rows are selected, limit the export
 	// to the selected rows. If no rows are selected, all rows will be exported. Specify
 	// a `selected` modifier to control directly.
@@ -2078,7 +2171,10 @@ var _exportData = function ( dt, inOpts )
 		.nodes()
 		.toArray();
 
-	var columns = header.length;
+	/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+	//var columns = header.length;
+	var columns = headerMatrix[headerMatrix.length - 1].length;
+	/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 	var rows = columns > 0 ? cells.length / columns : 0;
 	var body = [];
 	var cellCounter = 0;
@@ -2095,8 +2191,12 @@ var _exportData = function ( dt, inOpts )
 	}
 
 	var data = {
-		header: header,
-		footer: footer,
+		/* ----- BEGIN added/edited Code ----- */
+		//header: header,
+		header: headerMatrix,
+		//footer: footer,
+		footer: footerMatrix,
+		/* ----- END added/edited Code ----- */
 		body:   body
 	};
 
diff --git a/test/complex_headers_and_footers/example_DatatablesButtons_modified.html b/test/complex_headers_and_footers/example_DatatablesButtons_modified.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..876c9cc5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/complex_headers_and_footers/example_DatatablesButtons_modified.html
@@ -0,0 +1,284 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html>
+<head>
+    <meta charset="utf-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">
+    <title>DataTables example</title>
+    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.10.20/css/jquery.dataTables.min.css">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/css/buttons.dataTables.min.css">
+    <style type="text/css" class="init">
+    
+    </style>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.3.1.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.10.20/js/jquery.dataTables.js"></script>
+    
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="../../js/dataTables.buttons.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/js/buttons.flash.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jszip/3.1.3/jszip.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/pdfmake/0.1.53/pdfmake.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/pdfmake/0.1.53/vfs_fonts.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="../../js/buttons.html5.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="../../js/buttons.print.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/js/buttons.colVis.min.js"></script>
+
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" class="init">
+    
+
+$(document).ready(function() {
+    $('#example').DataTable( {
+        dom: 'Bfrtip',
+        buttons: [
+            {
+                extend: 'copy',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'csv',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'excel',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'pdf',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'print',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            'colvis'
+        ]
+    } );
+    $('#example2').DataTable( {
+        dom: 'Bfrtip',
+        buttons: [
+            {
+                extend: 'copy',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'csv',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'excel',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'pdf',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'print',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            'colvis'
+        ]
+    } );
+} );
+
+
+    </script>
+</head>
+<body class="dt-example">
+    <div class="container">
+        <section>
+            <h1>DataTables example, using modified libraries</h1>
+            <p> Based on <a  href = "https://github.com/DataTables/DataTables/blob/master/examples/basic_init/zero_configuration.html" target="_blank"> https://github.com/DataTables/DataTables/blob/master/examples/basic_init/zero_configuration.html </a> <p>
+            <p> an on <a  href = "https://datatables.net/extensions/buttons/config" target="_blank"> https://datatables.net/extensions/buttons/config </a> <p>    
+            <br>
+            <p> This example is intended for testing the export buttons when headers and or footers are complex and column visibility is potentially used. <p> 
+            <p> Here, the first row of headers and last row of the footer will get exported. <p> 
+            <div class="demo-html"></div>
+            <table id="example" class="display" style="width:100%">
+                <thead>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th rowspan="2">Name</th>
+                        <th colspan="2" style="border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: grey;">Block 1</th>
+                        <th colspan="3">Block 2</th>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th>Position</th>
+                        <th>Office</th>
+                        <th>Age</th>
+                        <th>Start date</th>
+                        <th>Salary</th>
+                    </tr>
+                </thead>
+                <tbody>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Tiger Nixon</td>
+                        <td>System Architect</td>
+                        <td>Edinburgh</td>
+                        <td>61</td>
+                        <td>2011/04/25</td>
+                        <td>$320,800</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Garrett Winters</td>
+                        <td>Accountant</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>63</td>
+                        <td>2011/07/25</td>
+                        <td>$170,750</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Ashton Cox</td>
+                        <td>Junior Technical Author</td>
+                        <td>San Francisco</td>
+                        <td>66</td>
+                        <td>2009/01/12</td>
+                        <td>$86,000</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Cedric Kelly</td>
+                        <td>Senior Javascript Developer</td>
+                        <td>Edinburgh</td>
+                        <td>22</td>
+                        <td>2012/03/29</td>
+                        <td>$433,060</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Airi Satou</td>
+                        <td>Accountant</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>33</td>
+                        <td>2008/11/28</td>
+                        <td>$162,700</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Brielle Williamson</td>
+                        <td>Integration Specialist</td>
+                        <td>New York</td>
+                        <td>61</td>
+                        <td>2012/12/02</td>
+                        <td>$372,000</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Herrod Chandler</td>
+                        <td>Sales Assistant</td>
+                        <td>San Francisco</td>
+                        <td>59</td>
+                        <td>2012/08/06</td>
+                        <td>$137,500</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Rhona Davidson</td>
+                        <td>Integration Specialist</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>55</td>
+                        <td>2010/10/14</td>
+                        <td>$327,900</td>
+                    </tr>
+                   
+                </tbody>
+                <tfoot>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th>N</th>
+                        <th colspan="2">8</th>
+                        <th colspan="3">200</th>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th colspan="6"> Second footer row, for illustration purposes only </th>
+                    </tr>
+                </tfoot>
+            </table>
+            <br>
+            <p> Here, a standard table to verify behavior is unchanged. <p> 
+            <div class="demo-html2"></div>
+            <table id="example2" class="display" style="width:100%">
+                <thead>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th>Names</th>
+                        <th>Position</th>
+                        <th>Office</th>
+                        <th>Age</th>
+                        <th>Start date</th>
+                        <th>Salary</th>
+                    </tr>
+                </thead>
+                <tbody>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Tiger Nixon</td>
+                        <td>System Architect</td>
+                        <td>Edinburgh</td>
+                        <td>61</td>
+                        <td>2011/04/25</td>
+                        <td>$320,800</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Garrett Winters</td>
+                        <td>Accountant</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>63</td>
+                        <td>2011/07/25</td>
+                        <td>$170,750</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Ashton Cox</td>
+                        <td>Junior Technical Author</td>
+                        <td>San Francisco</td>
+                        <td>66</td>
+                        <td>2009/01/12</td>
+                        <td>$86,000</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Cedric Kelly</td>
+                        <td>Senior Javascript Developer</td>
+                        <td>Edinburgh</td>
+                        <td>22</td>
+                        <td>2012/03/29</td>
+                        <td>$433,060</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Airi Satou</td>
+                        <td>Accountant</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>33</td>
+                        <td>2008/11/28</td>
+                        <td>$162,700</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Brielle Williamson</td>
+                        <td>Integration Specialist</td>
+                        <td>New York</td>
+                        <td>61</td>
+                        <td>2012/12/02</td>
+                        <td>$372,000</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Herrod Chandler</td>
+                        <td>Sales Assistant</td>
+                        <td>San Francisco</td>
+                        <td>59</td>
+                        <td>2012/08/06</td>
+                        <td>$137,500</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Rhona Davidson</td>
+                        <td>Integration Specialist</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>55</td>
+                        <td>2010/10/14</td>
+                        <td>$327,900</td>
+                    </tr>
+                   
+                </tbody>
+                <tfoot>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th>N</th>
+                        <th>8</th>
+                        <th>10</th>
+                        <th>20</th>
+                        <th>25</th>
+                        <th>26</th>
+                    </tr>
+                </tfoot>
+            </table>
+
+        </section>
+    </div>
+</body>
+</html>
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/complex_headers_and_footers/example_DatatablesButtons_original.html b/test/complex_headers_and_footers/example_DatatablesButtons_original.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5837d062
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/complex_headers_and_footers/example_DatatablesButtons_original.html
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+<!DOCTYPE html>
+<html>
+<head>
+    <meta charset="utf-8">
+    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no">
+    <title>DataTables example</title>
+    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.10.20/css/jquery.dataTables.min.css">
+    <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/css/buttons.dataTables.min.css">
+    <style type="text/css" class="init">
+    
+    </style>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://code.jquery.com/jquery-3.3.1.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/1.10.20/js/jquery.dataTables.js"></script>
+    
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/js/dataTables.buttons.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/js/buttons.flash.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jszip/3.1.3/jszip.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/pdfmake/0.1.53/pdfmake.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/pdfmake/0.1.53/vfs_fonts.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/js/buttons.html5.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/js/buttons.print.min.js"></script>
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="https://cdn.datatables.net/buttons/1.6.1/js/buttons.colVis.min.js"></script>
+
+    <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" class="init">
+    
+
+$(document).ready(function() {
+    $('#example').DataTable( {
+        dom: 'Bfrtip',
+        buttons: [
+            {
+                extend: 'copy',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'csv',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'excel',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'pdf',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            {
+                extend: 'print',
+                footer: 'true'
+            },
+            'colvis'
+        ]
+    } );
+} );
+
+
+    </script>
+</head>
+<body class="dt-example">
+    <div class="container">
+        <section>
+            <h1>DataTables example, using original libraries</h1>
+            <p> Based on <a  href = "https://github.com/DataTables/DataTables/blob/master/examples/basic_init/zero_configuration.html" target="_blank"> https://github.com/DataTables/DataTables/blob/master/examples/basic_init/zero_configuration.html </a> <p>
+            <p> an on <a  href = "https://datatables.net/extensions/buttons/config" target="_blank"> https://datatables.net/extensions/buttons/config </a> <p>    
+            <br>
+            <p> This example is intended for testing the export buttons when headers and or footers are complex and column visibility is potentially used. <p> 
+            <p> Here, the first row of headers and last row of the footer does not get exported. <p> 
+            <div class="demo-html"></div>
+            <table id="example" class="display" style="width:100%">
+                <thead>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th rowspan="2">Name</th>
+                        <th colspan="2" style="border-right-width: 1px; border-right-style: solid; border-right-color: grey;">Block 1</th>
+                        <th colspan="3">Block 2</th>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th>Position</th>
+                        <th>Office</th>
+                        <th>Age</th>
+                        <th>Start date</th>
+                        <th>Salary</th>
+                    </tr>
+                </thead>
+                <tbody>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Tiger Nixon</td>
+                        <td>System Architect</td>
+                        <td>Edinburgh</td>
+                        <td>61</td>
+                        <td>2011/04/25</td>
+                        <td>$320,800</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Garrett Winters</td>
+                        <td>Accountant</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>63</td>
+                        <td>2011/07/25</td>
+                        <td>$170,750</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Ashton Cox</td>
+                        <td>Junior Technical Author</td>
+                        <td>San Francisco</td>
+                        <td>66</td>
+                        <td>2009/01/12</td>
+                        <td>$86,000</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Cedric Kelly</td>
+                        <td>Senior Javascript Developer</td>
+                        <td>Edinburgh</td>
+                        <td>22</td>
+                        <td>2012/03/29</td>
+                        <td>$433,060</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Airi Satou</td>
+                        <td>Accountant</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>33</td>
+                        <td>2008/11/28</td>
+                        <td>$162,700</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Brielle Williamson</td>
+                        <td>Integration Specialist</td>
+                        <td>New York</td>
+                        <td>61</td>
+                        <td>2012/12/02</td>
+                        <td>$372,000</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Herrod Chandler</td>
+                        <td>Sales Assistant</td>
+                        <td>San Francisco</td>
+                        <td>59</td>
+                        <td>2012/08/06</td>
+                        <td>$137,500</td>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <td>Rhona Davidson</td>
+                        <td>Integration Specialist</td>
+                        <td>Tokyo</td>
+                        <td>55</td>
+                        <td>2010/10/14</td>
+                        <td>$327,900</td>
+                    </tr>
+                   
+                </tbody>
+                <tfoot>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th>N</th>
+                        <th colspan="2">8</th>
+                        <th colspan="3">200</th>
+                    </tr>
+                    <tr>
+                        <th colspan="6"> Second footer row, for illustration purposes only </th>
+                    </tr>
+                </tfoot>
+            </table>
+        </section>
+    </div>
+</body>
+</html>
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