In Microsoft Excel, gridlines are crucial for making the data easier to read, however, there are times when you might prefer a cleaner visual presentation for better focus or design purposes. Here, we explore 5 simple ways to remove background lines in Excel:
1. Hide Gridlines Through Excel Options
The simplest way to remove the background lines in Excel is by adjusting the settings:
- Go to the File menu, then select Options.
- In the dialog box that opens, select Advanced.
- Under Display options for this worksheet, uncheck the box for Show gridlines.
2. Customize Sheet Background
You can also change the sheet’s appearance by setting a background:
- Click on the Page Layout tab.
- Choose Background, then select a file to use as your sheet’s background. This will hide the gridlines.
🛑 Note: This option will not remove gridlines in the data view, but it will when you print or share the spreadsheet.
3. Apply Cell Borders
If you still need borders for clarity but want to remove the background grid:
- Select your range of cells or the entire sheet.
- Go to the Home tab, click on Borders.
- Choose No Border to remove all gridlines.
4. Use White Fill for Cell Range
An alternative method is to fill the cells with white color:
- Select your data range or the entire worksheet.
- In the Home tab, click the fill color icon and choose white.
5. Change Workbook View
Lastly, you can change how Excel displays your work:
- At the bottom of the Excel window, find the View tabs.
- Click on the Page Layout or Page Break Preview view where gridlines are often not visible.
By applying these techniques, you can significantly enhance your Excel data presentation to make it more professional or visually appealing for your reports, charts, or dashboards. Each method has its unique advantages, from quick settings changes to more tailored visual adjustments.
In summary, whether you're aiming for a professional look for business presentations or need a clean space for data analysis, these five methods provide versatile solutions for removing Excel's gridlines. Remember, however, that you might need to toggle these settings back on for normal Excel usage where gridlines aid in data input and editing.
Will removing gridlines affect the functionality of Excel?
+
No, removing gridlines does not alter the functionality of Excel. It’s a visual change for better presentation.
Can I selectively remove gridlines for specific cells?
+
You can apply white fill to specific cells or add custom borders to hide gridlines for those cells only.
How do I revert back to having gridlines visible?
+
Go to File > Options > Advanced and re-check the Show gridlines option or simply toggle them on via the View tab.
