Removing gridlines in Excel 2019 is a simple task that can help make your spreadsheets look cleaner and more professional. In just a few clicks, you can toggle the gridlines on and off to suit your preferences. Let’s dive into how to do it!
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Remove Gridlines in Excel 2019
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to know that removing gridlines will not affect your data or formatting—it simply changes the way your spreadsheet looks on the screen.
Step 1: Open Your Excel Workbook
The first thing you need to do is open the Excel workbook where you want to remove the gridlines.
Once you have your workbook open, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step.
Step 2: Go to the ‘View’ Tab
At the top of Excel, you’ll find a series of tabs. Click on the one that says ‘View’.
The ‘View’ tab is where you can change various elements of how your spreadsheet is displayed, including the gridlines.
Step 3: Uncheck the ‘Gridlines’ Box
In the ‘Show’ group of the ‘View’ tab, you’ll see a checkbox for ‘Gridlines’. Click it to remove the checkmark.
Unchecking this box will immediately remove the gridlines from your spreadsheet. If you want to bring them back, just recheck the box.
After completing these steps, your Excel spreadsheet will no longer show gridlines. This can make your document look cleaner, especially when printing, but remember that it may also make it a bit harder to navigate and align objects in your spreadsheet.
Tips for Removing Gridlines in Excel 2019
- Gridlines are different from borders—removing gridlines does not remove any borders you’ve added to cells.
- If you want to remove gridlines from just a specific area, you can apply white borders to those cells instead of removing all gridlines.
- Removing gridlines doesn’t change the structure of your spreadsheet; it’s purely a visual preference.
- Consider removing gridlines before printing to give your document a more polished look.
- You can also remove gridlines in the Excel mobile app by going to ‘View Options’ and toggling the gridlines off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will removing gridlines affect my data?
No, removing gridlines will not affect the data or formatting in your spreadsheet. It’s purely a visual change.
Can I remove gridlines for a specific range of cells?
To remove gridlines for a specific range, you’d want to add white borders to those cells, as there’s no option to remove gridlines selectively.
If I remove gridlines, will they be gone when I reopen the file?
Yes, the setting to remove gridlines will be saved with your workbook, so they will remain hidden when you reopen the file.
Can I remove gridlines in printed copies but keep them onscreen?
Yes, you can adjust this in the ‘Page Layout’ settings before printing. Just uncheck the ‘Print’ option under ‘Gridlines’.
Are gridlines removed for everyone who opens the spreadsheet?
Gridline display settings are specific to each user’s Excel preferences, so another user may see gridlines even if you’ve turned them off on your end.
Summary
- Open your Excel workbook.
- Go to the ‘View’ tab.
- Uncheck the ‘Gridlines’ box.
Conclusion
Removing gridlines in Excel 2019 is a breeze. Whether you’re a seasoned Excel user or just getting started, this simple guide should help you make your spreadsheets look just the way you want them to. Remember, it’s all about personal preference and making sure your data is presented in the clearest way possible. If you ever need those gridlines back, just follow the steps in reverse—it’s that easy!
In addition to removing gridlines, there are plenty of other ways to customize your Excel experience. Explore conditional formatting, cell styles, and data validation to enhance your spreadsheets further. And if you’re looking to level up your Excel skills, consider enrolling in an Excel training course or checking out online tutorials.
Excel 2019 is a powerful tool, and knowing how to tailor it to your needs can make a big difference in your productivity. Happy spreadsheeting!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.