Print Excel Gridlines

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What Is Print Excel Gridlines?

Print Excel Gridlines is a feature where we ensure that the Printout of an Excel worksheet is taken with the Gridlines displayed. An Excel worksheet, by default, will have slightly visible gridlines that make up the rows and columns of the worksheet. If the gridlines are not enabled, the worksheet looks like just a blank Word document.

For example, open a worksheet, where by default the gridlines will be available, and select the cell range of the data given below.

Print Excel Gridlines Intro

Now, to Print with Gridlines, press the shortcut keys โ€œCtrl+Pโ€ to open the print section, and to view the Print Preview, as shown below.

Print Excel Gridlines Intro - Output

The printout will be as shown above in the print preview.

  • The Print Excel Gridlines helps us print a worksheet with the Gridlines feature, which are the rectangular boxes that make up the rows and columns in a worksheet, else it will look like a blank Word document.
  • When we want to print the Excel workbook, we can also ensure to use borders to print it clearly.
  • We use the shortcut keys โ€œALT+W+VGโ€ to show or hide the gridlines.
  • We can also remove/hide the gridlines by applying a background color โ€œNo fillโ€ to the cells/selected range in the worksheet.

How To Print Gridlines In Excel Worksheet?

The simple and easy steps to Print Gridlines in Excel Worksheet are as follows:

  • First, we must check/tick the โ€œViewโ€ checkbox of the โ€œGridlinesโ€ option in the โ€œPage Layoutโ€ tab.
  • Then, we must check/tick the โ€œPrintโ€ checkbox of the โ€œGridlinesโ€ option in the โ€œPage Layoutโ€ tab to print it.
  • Finally, press โ€œCtrl+Pโ€ to open the โ€œPrintโ€ section, and click the โ€œPrint Previewโ€ to see the gridlines.

2 Different Methods To Print Excel Sheet With Gridlines

We can print with gridlines in two methods, namely:

  1. Using the โ€œPage Layoutโ€ tab.
  2. Using the โ€œPage Setupโ€ section.

Now, let us discuss each of the methods in detail:

Method #1 โ€“ Using Page Layout Tab

Below is the data we want to print. It has no borders.

Print Gridlines Using Page Layout 1

The steps to print using Page Layout tab are as follows:

  • Step 1: Go to the โ€œPage Layoutโ€ tab > โ€œSheet Optionsโ€ group > โ€œGridlinesโ€ option > check the โ€œViewโ€ and โ€œPrintโ€ checkboxes, as shown below.

Print Gridlines Using Page Layout 2
  • Step 2: Press โ€œCtrl+Pโ€ to open the print section to see theprint preview, as shown below.
Print Gridlines Using Page Layout 3

Method #2 โ€“ Using the Page Setup Tab

Below is the data we want to print. It has no borders.

Print Gridlines using Page Setup step 1

The steps to print using Page Setup tab are as follows:

  • Step 1: Go to โ€œPage Layoutโ€ tab > โ€œPage Setupโ€ group > โ€œPage Setupโ€ box at the right-bottom > click the box, as shown below.
Print Gridlines using Page Setup step 2
  • Step 2: Go to the โ€œSHEETโ€ tab in the โ€œPage Setupโ€ dialog box.
Print Gridlines using Page Setup step 3
  • Step 3: Under the โ€œSHEETโ€ tab, we have a โ€œPRINTโ€ section. Here, check/tick the โ€œGridlinesโ€ checkbox.
Print Gridlines using Page Setup step 4
  • Step 4: After you have selected the option โ€œGridlines,โ€ at the end of this dialog box, click on "Print Preview" in excel.
Print Gridlines using Page Setup step 5
  • Step 5: It will show the print preview with gridlines, as shown below.
Print Gridlines using Page Setup step 6

How To Print Gridlines With Different Colors?

By default, the gridline color is light gray in Excel. While printing, the gridline with the default color looks very subtle. We can change the color of the grid line according to our preference and make the line more beautiful. Follow the below steps to change the color of the gridline.

  • Step 1: Go to the โ€œFileโ€ option, then select โ€œOptions.โ€"
Color step 1
  • Step 2: Under โ€œOptions,โ€ go to โ€œAdvanced.โ€
Different Color step 2
  • Step 3: After selecting โ€œAdvanced,โ€ scroll down, and choose โ€œDisplay options for this worksheet.โ€
Different Color step 3
  • Step 4: In this section, at the bottom, we have an option called โ€œGridlinesโ€ color.
Different Color step 4
  • Step 5: Select the color as per your requirement.
Different Color step 5
  • Step 6: Now, we have a pink grid line, as shown below.
Different Color step 6

Important Things To Note

  • Whatever changes you make for the gridline apply only to the current worksheet. For each sheet, you have to do it separately.
  • Removing and using gridlines is applicable for the whole worksheet, not the worksheetโ€™s portion.
  • We can remove the gridline in one shot by holding the control key, selecting all the worksheets, and clicking remove gridlines.
  • Excel cannot print the gridlines without your insistence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is there an alternate way to Print Excel Gridlines?

The alternate way to Print in Excel is using the shortcut keys โ€œCtrl+Pโ€. Once we select the shortcut, the Print option opens, and the rest is the same as we learnt.

2. How to add Gridlines in Excel to Print Excel Gridlines?

The Gridlines in Excel are added in a worksheet in 2 methods, as follows:
Method #1 - First, keep the workbook open - select the โ€œViewโ€ tab - go to the โ€œShowโ€ group - check/tick the โ€œGridlinesโ€ option checkbox, as shown below.

View - Gridlines

3. How to remove Gridlines in Excel to Print Excel without Gridlines?

The Gridlines in Excel are removed in a worksheet in 2 methods, as follows:
โ€ข Method #1 - First, keep the workbook open - select the โ€œViewโ€ tab - go to the โ€œShowโ€ group - uncheck the โ€œGridlinesโ€ option checkbox, as shown below.

Print Excel Gridlines  - FAQ 2

โ€ข Method #2 - First, keep the workbook open - select the โ€œPage Layoutโ€ tab - go to the โ€œSheet Optionsโ€ group - uncheck the โ€œViewโ€ option checkbox under the โ€œGridlinesโ€ category, as shown below.

Page Layout - Gridlines

Now, in both scenarios, once the gridlines are removed, the worksheet looks like a blank Word document.

4. Why are the Print Excel Gridlines not working?

A few reasons the Print Excel Gridlines may not work are as follows:
โ€ข In the Page Layout tab, we have only checked/ticked the Gridlines and not the โ€œPrintโ€ option.
โ€ข We have not checked/ticked the Gridline option at all, for the printouts to display gridlines.

5. How to lock the set print area in Print Gridlines In Excel?

We can lock the set print area as follows:
โ€ข First, select the area you want to print, a cell range, or a dataset.

Print Excel Gridlines  - FAQ 5

โ€ข Next, select the โ€œPage Layoutโ€ tab - go to the โ€œPage Setupโ€ group - click the โ€œPrint Areaโ€ option drop-down - select the โ€œSet Print Areaโ€ option, as shown below.

Print Excel Gridlines  - FAQ 5 - Set Print Area

โ€ข Finally, we can see the selected cells locked, and ready to print, as shown below.

Print Excel Gridlines  - FAQ 5 - locked