Many Excel users want a clean, white worksheet for presentations or printed reports. The default gridlines can make a sheet look cluttered and distract from the data. Gridlines are a visual aid that appear on screen but do not print by default. This article explains how to hide gridlines on screen and manage their print settings to achieve a polished look.
Key Takeaways: Removing Excel Gridlines
- View tab > Show group > Gridlines: Uncheck this box to instantly hide all gridlines from your on-screen view.
- Page Layout tab > Sheet Options group > Gridlines > Print: Uncheck this box to prevent gridlines from appearing on printed pages.
- File > Options > Advanced > Display options for this worksheet: Use this setting to control gridline color or hide them for a specific sheet only.
Understanding Excel Gridlines and Their Purpose
Gridlines in Excel are the faint lines that separate cells on a worksheet. They serve as a visual guide to help you align text and data. These lines are different from cell borders, which are formatting elements you add manually. Gridlines are a universal sheet setting, while borders are applied to specific cells or ranges.
By default, gridlines appear on screen in a light gray color. They are designed not to print, which is the standard setting for most business documents. However, you might want to hide them on screen to see how a final report will look without any visual guides. You can also change their color or force them to print for specific layout needs.
Gridlines vs. Borders
A common point of confusion is the difference between gridlines and borders. Gridlines affect the entire worksheet uniformly. Borders are custom lines you draw around cells using the Home > Font > Borders button. Borders will print regardless of your gridline settings. Removing gridlines does not delete any borders you have applied.
Steps to Hide Gridlines in Your Worksheet View
You can hide gridlines from your screen with one click. This change only affects how the worksheet looks on your monitor. It does not change the print settings or any data.
- Navigate to the View tab
Open your Excel workbook and click the View tab on the ribbon at the top of the window. - Locate the Show group
In the View tab, find the Show command group on the right side of the ribbon. - Uncheck the Gridlines box
Click the checkbox next to Gridlines to remove the checkmark. The gridlines will immediately disappear from your worksheet view.
Using the Page Layout Tab Method
You can also hide gridlines from the Page Layout tab. This method offers quick access to print settings at the same time.
- Go to the Page Layout tab
Click the Page Layout tab on the Excel ribbon. - Find the Sheet Options group
Look for the Sheet Options group, which contains settings for Gridlines and Headings. - Uncheck the View box under Gridlines
In the Gridlines section, uncheck the box in the View column. The gridlines will vanish from your screen.
Controlling Gridline Print Settings and Color
To manage whether gridlines appear on a printed page, you need a separate setting. You can also change the gridline color for on-screen viewing through Excel’s advanced options.
How to Stop Gridlines from Printing
- Select the Page Layout tab
Click on the Page Layout tab in the ribbon. - Open the Sheet Options group
Locate the Sheet Options group on the ribbon. - Uncheck the Print box
In the Gridlines section, ensure the box in the Print column is unchecked. This is the default state. If it is checked, gridlines will appear on your printed pages.
Changing Gridline Color for a Specific Sheet
- Open Excel Options
Click File > Options to open the Excel Options dialog box. - Go to Advanced settings
In the left pane of the dialog box, click Advanced. - Scroll to Display options
Scroll down to the section titled Display options for this worksheet. - Select your worksheet
Use the drop-down menu to select the specific worksheet you want to modify. - Change the gridline color
Check the box for Show gridlines, then click the color selector next to it. Choose a new color, like white, to make gridlines blend into the background. Click OK to apply.
Common Mistakes and Things to Avoid
Gridlines Reappear After Reopening the File
If gridlines come back when you open a file, the setting is saved per worksheet. You must hide them on each individual sheet you want clean. The setting does not apply to all sheets in a workbook automatically. Repeat the hide steps for every relevant sheet.
Cells Look Empty After Hiding Gridlines
Without gridlines, blank cells can be hard to distinguish. To define areas clearly, add custom borders to key data ranges. Use the Borders button in the Home > Font group. Apply a light border around your main data table to maintain structure without the full grid.
Print Preview Still Shows Gridlines
If Print Preview shows gridlines, the Print setting under Page Layout > Sheet Options is still active. Ensure the Print checkbox for Gridlines is unchecked. Also, check if cell shading or borders are creating lines you mistake for gridlines.
Gridline View Settings vs. Print Settings
| Item | View Setting | Print Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Controls on-screen display only | Controls appearance on printed paper |
| Location | View tab or Page Layout > Sheet Options > View | Page Layout > Sheet Options > Print |
| Default State | Gridlines are shown | Gridlines are not printed |
| Workbook Scope | Setting is saved per worksheet | Setting is saved per worksheet |
| Color Customization | Available via File > Options > Advanced | Uses the view color or printer grayscale |
You now have a clean, white worksheet by hiding Excel gridlines. Use the View tab for quick on-screen cleanup and the Page Layout tab to manage printing. For a permanent white background on a specific sheet, set the gridline color to white in Excel Options. Next, try using the Format as Table feature, which applies a professional design while automatically managing gridline visibility within the table range.