How to Show Gridlines on Excel

Excel is a powerful tool that enables you to analyze, organize and manage data effectively. One of the features that make Excel easy to use is the gridlines that appear by default on the spreadsheet. The gridlines help you to align and arrange the data precisely, making the entire spreadsheet look neat and organized. However, some users may find the gridlines difficult to identify at times or may have unintentionally turned them off. If you are among those who are struggling to find the gridlines, keep reading to learn how to show gridlines on Excel.

Why Show Gridlines in Excel?

Gridlines are the faint lines that separate the columns and rows of your Excel spreadsheet. They make it easier for you to see the cell positions and contents and adjust them accordingly. However, sometimes the gridlines may disappear or blend in with the data, making it challenging to work effectively. In this blog post, we will show you how to display gridlines on your Excel worksheet, so you can work more efficiently.

Show Gridlines in Excel

Step 1: Open your Excel Sheet

To get started, open the Excel sheet you want to work on. It could be a pre-existing worksheet or a new one you’re creating from scratch.

Step 2: Go to the ‘View’ tab

Once your sheet is open, click on the ‘View’ tab on the top left of your window. It is located between the ‘Insert’ and ‘Data’ tabs.

Step 3: Locate the ‘Show’ section

Under the ‘View’ tab, locate the ‘Show’ section on the far left. It is the first section on the ribbon, and it contains options to customize how you view your excel sheet.

Step 4: Click the ‘Gridlines’ option

Once you’ve located the ‘Show’ section on the ‘View’ tab, find and click the ‘Gridlines’ option. It is the first option on the ‘Show’ section.

Step 5: Confirm Gridlines are Visible

Once you click on ‘Gridlines,’ the faint lines that separate the rows and columns of your sheet should reappear. They will be light gray in color.

Step 6: Now you’re all set

Now you can use the gridlines on your Excel worksheet to align and adjust your data. You can repeat the steps above to hide or unhide the gridlines as needed.

Understanding how to display gridlines in Excel can make your work much easier and more efficient. Now that you’ve learned how to show gridlines, take advantage of this valuable Excel feature to enhance your data visualization, even more, allowing for more precise data analysis and reporting.

More Options for Customizing Gridlines in Excel

While the above steps cover the simplest way to display gridlines in Excel, there are a few more advanced options you should be aware of.

Changing the Color of Gridlines

Excel automatically selects gray as the color for gridlines, but you can change the color of your gridlines by following these additional steps:

1. Click on the ‘View’ tab
2. Select ‘Page Layout View’
3. Locate the ‘Sheet Options’ section
4. Select ‘Gridlines’
5. Choose your preferred color
6. Return to ‘Normal View’ under the ‘View’ tab to resume editing your workbook.

Printing Gridlines

Have you ever created a printed version of your excel spreadsheet and realized the gridlines are missing? Printing gridlines require one extra step:

1. Navigate to ‘Page Layout’ view under the ‘View’ tab
2. Under the ‘Sheet Options’ section, check ‘Print’

The gridlines will now appear on your printed sheet.

Using Excel Alternatives

If you’re looking for a more intuitive alternative to Microsoft Excel that makes it easier to display, edit, and align gridlines, there are several programs out there to choose from. Some of the most popular Excel alternatives include Google Sheets, LibreOffice, and Apple Numbers.

Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a free web-based spreadsheet editor similar to Microsoft Excel. If you use Google Chrome, you can use Google Sheets with minimum lag. Google Sheets allows you to display, edit, and align gridlines similarly to Microsoft Excel.

LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free office suite that includes a powerful spreadsheet editor called Calc. Like Excel, you can use gridlines to separate your data to enhance the readability of your worksheet.

Apple Numbers

For Mac users, Apple Numbers is a compelling and easy-to-use alternative to Microsoft Excel. Like Excel, Apple Numbers provides the option to display and format gridlines, which helps you organize and visualize your spreadsheet data.

In Conclusion

Excel is an incredibly powerful tool for managing and analyzing data, and the ease with which you can display and use gridlines is one of its strengths. Now that you know how to show gridlines in Excel, take it a step further and customize your gridlines to make your worksheets even more intuitive and easy to navigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions regarding showing gridlines in Excel:

How do I adjust the thickness of my gridlines?

To adjust the thickness of your gridlines, navigate to the ‘Home’ tab in your Excel workbook. Click on the cell over which you want to change the gridline width. Then, above the ‘Font’ section, you will see the ‘Borders’ section. Choose the thickness you desire from the dropdown options under ‘Weight.’

Can I print my Excel sheet with gridlines?

Yes. After selecting the desired information from your sheet, go to the ‘Page Layout’ tab in the Excel ribbon. In the ‘Page Setup’ section, enable the ‘Print Gridlines’ checkbox. Execute the print command as you regularly do, and your gridlines will appear on your printed sheet.

What do I do if my Excel sheet’s gridlines are not visible?

If your Excel sheet’s gridlines are not visible, it may be because the ‘Gridlines’ option is turned off. To make them visible again, go to the ‘View’ tab, find the ‘Show’ section, and click the ‘Gridlines’ option.

Can I change the color of my gridlines in Excel?

Yes. First, go to ‘Page Layout’ view under the ‘View’ tab. Under the ‘Sheet Options’ section, select ‘Gridlines’ and choose your preferred color. You can also change the color of your gridlines when customizing your cell borders.

What Excel alternatives can I use that support gridlines?

Several programs support displaying gridlines, including Google Sheets, LibreOffice, and Apple Numbers. Each of these alternatives allows you to separate your data with gridlines and comes with unique features and benefits to help you with your tasks.