When it comes to presenting data clearly, especially in a professional setting or for reports, the last thing you want is for your audience's attention to be divided by unnecessary gridlines. Microsoft Excel offers several straightforward methods to print your sheets cleanly, without those pervasive gridlines. Here's how you can achieve a professional, polished look:
1. Direct Sheet Settings
Perhaps the simplest approach to remove gridlines is by adjusting settings within Excel itself. Here’s how to do it:
- Open your Excel workbook.
- Navigate to the Page Layout tab.
- In the Sheet Options group, under Gridlines, uncheck the box next to Print.
- Proceed to print your document as you normally would.
2. Custom View
If you need to print without gridlines on a regular basis, setting up a custom view can save you time:
- Configure your sheet without gridlines as shown above.
- Go to the View tab.
- Click on Custom Views in the Workbook Views group.
- Choose Add…, name your view, check the settings you want to include, and click OK.
Now, whenever you need to print without gridlines, just select this custom view from the same menu.
3. Excel Page Setup Dialog
Excel’s Page Setup dialog provides another avenue for controlling gridline visibility:
- Access the Page Setup dialog by clicking on the dialog launcher in the Page Layout tab, at the bottom right corner of the Page Setup group.
- Switch to the Sheet tab.
- In the Print section, uncheck Gridlines.
- Adjust other settings as needed and click OK.
4. Printing Specific Range Without Gridlines
If you only need to print a specific range without gridlines:
- Select the range you want to print.
- Go to File > Print.
- Under Settings, choose Print Selection.
- Before printing, disable gridlines through the Page Layout tab or the Page Setup dialog as previously described.
5. VBA Solution for Advanced Users
For those comfortable with macros or looking for an automated solution:
- Open the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) editor by pressing Alt + F11.
- Insert a new module and enter the following code:
Sub RemoveGridLinesOnPrint()
With ActiveSheet.PageSetup
.PrintGridlines = False
End With
End Sub
- Run this macro before printing. It will temporarily disable gridlines for the active sheet, allowing for a clean printout.
Here are some important notes:
⚠️ Note: Changes made to hide gridlines might not affect previously saved print settings or custom views unless explicitly applied.
💡 Note: Using the Page Layout tab's settings or Page Setup dialog provides visual feedback on your screen, making it easier to set up your print layout before printing.
In summary, removing gridlines when printing Excel sheets can significantly enhance the presentation of your data, making it clearer and more professional. Excel provides several easy-to-use methods to achieve this, catering to both novice users and those requiring more customized solutions. By following the steps outlined in this post, you can ensure your printed documents reflect the focus and clarity you intend, free from the distractions of unnecessary gridlines.
Can I revert gridlines if I change my mind later?
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Yes, you can easily re-enable gridlines for printing by rechecking the “Print” option under “Gridlines” in the Page Layout tab.
Will these changes affect how my Excel sheets appear on the screen?
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No, changing gridline settings for printing does not impact how your sheet looks on the screen; it only changes the printout appearance.
What if I want to print gridlines on some sheets but not others?
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You can toggle gridline printing on and off for each sheet independently. Just navigate to the sheet you want to adjust and follow the steps outlined in this post.
