How To Hide Gridlines In Excel: A Step-By-Step Guide

by Jacky Chou
Updated on

Key Takeaways:

  • Excel gridlines help organize and distinguish data in spreadsheets, but can be distracting or unnecessary in certain cases.
  • There are two main methods to hide gridlines in Excel – using the Ribbon menu or the Cell Formatting menu. Both methods are quick and easy to use.
  • Customization options for gridlines include changing the color, removing gridlines from specific cells, and using a template/theme to modify the gridlines. Experiment with these options to create a visually appealing and easy-to-read spreadsheet.

Tired of seeing gridlines in MS Excel? You can easily get rid of them with this simple step-by-step guide. In this article, you will learn how to hide the gridlines in Excel, saving you time and trouble.

Overview of Excel gridlines

Starting with a brief introduction, Excel gridlines are horizontal and vertical lines that indicate the boundary of cells in a worksheet. Although they are highly useful for formatting and readability purposes, sometimes they may appear distractingly and hamper the aesthetic appeal of the document.

Moving on to the main point, if you want to hide gridlines in Excel, there are several ways you can do it. You can opt for the “View” tab and deselect the “Gridlines” option. Alternatively, you can use the “Format Cells” dialog box and change the background color of the cells to match the color of the gridlines. Both of these methods are easy to comprehend and efficient in their respective ways.

In addition, an important aspect to remember is that hiding gridlines does not delete or affect the contents and formatting of your worksheet. Also, you can restore the gridlines anytime you want by following the same steps mentioned earlier.

To ensure a smooth functioning of these methods, you should have a thorough understanding of the Excel interface and functions. Moreover, you should be familiar with the purpose and utilization of gridlines in the context of your document.

How to hide gridlines in Excel

Hide Gridlines in Excel? No problem! Use the Ribbon or Cell Formatting Menu. Gridlines can be distracting, so let’s show you how to easily get rid of them. First, the Ribbon Menu. Then, Cell Formatting Menu. That’s it! No more gridlines!

Using the Ribbon menu

To utilize the Ribbon menu for hiding gridlines in Excel, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Excel file and select the sheets that contain the gridlines you wish to hide.
  2. Click on ‘View’ in the Ribbon.
  3. Locate and select ‘Gridlines’ from the Show group.
  4. The gridlines will immediately disappear from your view. To bring them back, repeat steps 1 through 3 and ensure the check box next to Gridlines has a tick present.

It’s worth noting that this method does not remove or alter any of your data and can be undone at any time by repeating the same sequence of steps used to hide them.

Pro Tip: If you frequently work with multiple worksheets, holding down Control before selecting multiple worksheet tabs allows you to apply this method to all selected sheets simultaneously.

Cell formatting has never been so exciting – it’s like giving your cells a makeover without the drama.

Using the Cell Formatting menu

Cell Formatting Enhancements for Hiding Gridlines in Excel Spreadsheet

Modifying cell formatting options is a valuable technique to make the most of your spreadsheet data. To learn how to hide gridlines, you need to employ some tweaks and tricks in the cell formatting menu. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Select the range of cells where you want to hide the gridlines.
  2. Then, right-click on any of the selected cells and choose format cells from the drop-down list.
  3. Now, go to the “Border” section and click on “No Border”; This will disable all types of borders such as cell borders or gridlines surrounding your worked area while preserving your data entries.

Extra reminder; The abovementioned method works only per worksheet basis hence you may consider applying them manually on each worksheet accordingly.

Notably, this procedure won’t remove formatting for sub-sections or an individual selection comprising various cells separately -each selection style requires modification individually.

Did you know? In older versions (before Excel 2007), hiding gridlines often resulted in even number rows or columns becoming invisible as well.

Customize your gridlines like a pro and leave your colleagues wondering how you did it.

Other options for gridline customization

To make your Excel spreadsheet with the title ‘How to Hide Gridlines in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide’ look spiffy, you have multiple options. We’ll explore these options now.

  1. Changing gridline colors
  2. Removing gridlines from certain cells
  3. Using a template or theme to customize gridlines

Note: These options can help you to make your spreadsheet more visually appealing and easier to read.

Changing the color of gridlines

Customizing the appearance of gridlines in Excel can help you enhance the visual appeal and overall readability of your spreadsheets. Let’s take a look at how to change the color of gridlines in an Excel worksheet.

To change the color of gridlines in Excel, follow these simple steps:

  1. Open your Excel worksheet and navigate to the “Page Layout” tab.
  2. Click on “Gridlines” and select “More Gridline Options”.
  3. In the Format Gridlines panel, choose your desired Color from the drop-down menu under Line Color.

By following these three easy steps, you’ll be able to customize the color of gridlines to match your desired style.

It’s important to note that changing the color of gridlines is just one way to customize them. You can also adjust their thickness or even hide them altogether if they’re not needed for your particular project.

Interestingly, gridlines have been an essential component of spreadsheet programs since their inception. They provide a visual framework that helps users read and interpret data more easily, improving efficiency and accuracy.

Say goodbye to those pesky gridlines and hello to a more aesthetically pleasing spreadsheet with this simple cell-by-cell removal guide.

Removing gridlines from specific cells

When it comes to hiding gridlines in Excel, sometimes removing them from specific cells can be advantageous. This allows for a cleaner and more organized look to the spreadsheet.

Here is a simple 6-step guide to removing gridlines from specific cells:

  1. Highlight the cell or range of cells where you want to remove gridlines.
  2. Click on the “Home” tab in the Excel ribbon.
  3. Click on “Format Cells.”
  4. In the “Format Cells” dialogue box, click on the “Border” tab.
  5. Select “No Border.” This will remove all borders for the selected cell(s).
  6. Click OK.

It’s important to note that when these steps are applied, it only removes gridlines from selected cells, not all of them.

If at any point you wish to revert back to showing gridlines for a particular cell or range of cells, simply repeat the same steps listed above and select desired border options.

In terms of historical contexts about removing grids from specific cells – there isn’t necessarily a significant moment in time where this feature was introduced. Rather, developers have continuously provided adjustments within Excel’s interface over time that allow for greater customization options when working with spreadsheets.

Transform your bland gridlines into a work of art with some help from Excel’s templates and themes.

Using a template or theme to modify gridlines

When customizing gridlines in Excel, templates and themes come to mind. They are a fast way of modifying gridlines and saving time. Templates provide a pre-designed document with themed fonts, colors, and styles for easy formatting. Change gridline colors or hide lines that might clutter the spreadsheet. With themes, get a consistent look across all the spreadsheets by selecting from the available options.

In addition to using templates and themes, other customization options exist such as changing the line color, thickness or style through “Format Cells” dialog box under “Border” tab or by right-clicking on the selected cells for quick changes.

It is important to note that using a template or theme does not mean one has to stick with it. Microsoft provides over 20 preset themes that can be customized further to align with brand guidelines for businesses and organizations.

According to Techradar.com (Source), “Excel online does not have as many customization features compared to the desktop version.”

Some Facts About How to Hide Gridlines in Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide:

  • ✅ Hiding gridlines in Excel can make your data stand out more and give your spreadsheet a more professional look. (Source: Microsoft)
  • ✅ You can quickly hide gridlines in Excel by going to the “View” tab and unchecking the “Gridlines” box. (Source: Excel Campus)
  • ✅ You can also change the color and style of your gridlines in Excel to better match your data and formatting styles. (Source: BetterCloud)
  • ✅ Hiding gridlines in Excel can make it easier to read your data, especially when dealing with large amounts of information. (Source: HubSpot)
  • ✅ While hiding gridlines can improve the look of your spreadsheet, be sure to clearly label your data to avoid any confusion or errors. (Source: Lifewire)

FAQs about How To Hide Gridlines In Excel: A Step-By-Step Guide

How do I hide gridlines in Excel?

To hide gridlines in Excel, follow these simple steps:
1. Open the Excel spreadsheet you want to work on.
2. Click on the “View” tab.
3. Uncheck the “Gridlines” checkbox.
4. If you want to make these changes only to the current worksheet, simply click on the “View” tab again and recheck the “Gridlines” checkbox when you are ready to turn them back on.

Why should I hide gridlines in Excel?

You may want to hide gridlines in Excel when you want to create a more professional-looking spreadsheet, or when you want to make your data stand out more. Hiding gridlines can make your data easier to read and understand, and can improve the overall appearance of your spreadsheet.

How do I turn gridlines back on in Excel?

If you have previously hidden gridlines in Excel, you can turn them back on by following these steps:
1. Open the Excel spreadsheet you want to work on.
2. Click on the “View” tab.
3. Check the “Gridlines” checkbox.
4. If you want to make these changes only to the current worksheet, simply click on the “View” tab again and uncheck the “Gridlines” checkbox when you are ready to turn them off again.

Can I hide gridlines in a specific area of my Excel spreadsheet?

Yes, you can hide gridlines in a specific area of your Excel spreadsheet by selecting the cells you want to work with and then going to the “Format Cells” dialog box. From there, you can select the “Border” tab and remove the gridlines for that specific area.

Can I print my Excel spreadsheet with hidden gridlines?

Yes, you can print your Excel spreadsheet with hidden gridlines by going to the “Page Layout” tab, selecting “Sheet Options,” and then unchecking the “Gridlines” checkbox under “Print.” This will allow you to print your spreadsheet without the gridlines showing up on the printed copy.

Is there a way to make Excel always hide gridlines by default?

Yes, you can make Excel always hide gridlines by default by going to the “Excel Options” dialog box, selecting “Advanced,” and then scrolling down to the “Display options for this worksheet” section. From there, you can uncheck the “Show gridlines” checkbox, and Excel will always hide gridlines by default.

Auther name

Jacky Chou is an electrical engineer turned marketer. He is the founder of IndexsyFar & AwayLaurel & Wolf, a couple of FBA businesses, and about 40 affiliate sites. He is a proud native of Vancouver, BC, who has been featured on Entrepreneur.comForbesOberlo, and GoDaddy.