Printing gridlines in Excel 2016 can be helpful when you need to line up data visually, but there are times you might want to print a clean, gridline-free worksheet. It’s a pretty straightforward process to stop printing gridlines in Excel 2016. All you need to do is adjust a couple of settings before you print your document.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Stop Printing Gridlines in Excel 2016
Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that by following these instructions, you’ll be able to print your Excel worksheets without those pesky gridlines. This can make your printed documents look cleaner and more professional.
Step 1: Open your Excel Worksheet
Open the Excel worksheet that you want to print without gridlines.
When you open your Excel worksheet, make sure you’re on the sheet where you want to remove the gridlines from the printout. If you have multiple sheets, you’ll need to repeat these steps for each sheet you want to print without gridlines.
Step 2: Click on ‘Page Layout’ Tab
Click on the ‘Page Layout’ tab in the Excel ribbon.
The ‘Page Layout’ tab is where you can find all settings related to the appearance of your worksheet, both on-screen and when printed.
Step 3: Uncheck ‘Print’ under Gridlines
In the ‘Sheet Options’ group, look for ‘Gridlines’ and uncheck the ‘Print’ checkbox.
By unchecking the ‘Print’ option under ‘Gridlines’, you’re telling Excel not to include the gridlines when the document is printed. Remember that this won’t affect the gridlines on the screen, only the printed version.
After completing these steps, your Excel worksheet will print without gridlines, giving you a clean, professional-looking document.
Tips: How to Stop Printing Gridlines in Excel 2016
- Before printing, use Print Preview to double-check that the gridlines are indeed turned off.
- If you need to print gridlines for some cells only, consider using borders instead of gridlines.
- Remember that unchecking gridlines will apply to all cells in the worksheet.
- If you change your mind and want the gridlines back, just go back to ‘Page Layout’ and re-check the ‘Print’ under ‘Gridlines’.
- Gridlines are useful for data entry and review on-screen but removing them for printed reports can improve readability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are gridlines?
Gridlines are the faint lines that appear around cells to distinguish them on a worksheet.
Gridlines are automatically displayed in Excel worksheets, both on-screen and in printouts, to help users navigate through the data. However, they can be turned off for printing if a cleaner look is desired.
Can I remove gridlines from just one section of my worksheet?
No, when you uncheck the ‘Print’ option under ‘Gridlines’, it applies to the entire worksheet.
To create a section without gridlines, you can remove the borders from specific cells or ranges instead of altering the print settings for gridlines.
Will removing gridlines affect my worksheet’s layout?
No, removing gridlines for printing does not affect the actual layout or formatting of your worksheet.
The layout and data remain intact, and only the appearance of the printed document is affected by removing gridlines.
Can I save my Excel file with the gridlines setting off?
Yes, once you change the setting to not print gridlines, the setting will be saved with your worksheet.
The next time you open your file, the same setting will apply unless you change it back. However, this setting only affects printing, not how gridlines display on-screen.
Is there a shortcut to remove gridlines when printing?
There is no direct keyboard shortcut, but you can quickly access the option by pressing ‘Alt’ + ‘P’, then ‘P’ to select the Page Layout tab, and finally ‘G’ to toggle the gridlines print option.
Remember that these shortcuts might differ depending on the version of Excel and your computer’s operating system.
Summary
- Open your Excel Worksheet.
- Click on the ‘Page Layout’ Tab.
- Uncheck ‘Print’ under Gridlines.
Conclusion
Gridlines are great for editing and viewing your Excel worksheets, but when it comes to printing, you might want to leave them out. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can easily stop printing gridlines in Excel 2016 and ensure your printed documents look just the way you want them to. Whether you’re working on a financial report, an inventory list, or a project plan, the ability to print without gridlines can help create a more polished and professional-looking document.
Remember, Excel is a powerful tool with a wide array of features to make your data work for you. Don’t be afraid to explore and tweak different settings to suit your needs, and always make sure to preview your document before hitting that print button. With a little practice, you’ll become an Excel whiz in no time, and printing gridlines will be a thing of the past.
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.