How to Get Gridlines Back in Excel

Gridlines Visibility in Excel

If your Excel gridlines have disappeared, ensure the gridlines option is enabled. To restore gridlines, navigate to the VIEW tab and check the Gridlines box in the Show group. Alternatively, use the PAGE LAYOUT tab, and under Gridlines in the Sheet Options group, ensure the View checkbox is selected.

Adjusting Cell Fill Color

Excel gridlines may not be visible if the cell background color is set to white. To display gridlines, clear the cell fill color or choose a fill color that does not hide gridlines. Use the Fill Color feature to adjust the cell background.

Changing Gridline Color

Gridlines can be hidden by changing their color to white or by setting the cell border color to white. To make them visible, revert the gridline or border color to a contrasting color. This can be done through the Excel Options or by formatting cell borders.

Checking Excel Settings and Templates

Check Excel's settings for any alterations that could affect gridline visibility. Inspect the XLSTART folder for templates that may have gridlines turned off. Use Application.StartupPath to locate the folder and modify any templates as needed.

Common Use Cases

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  Improving data readability by restoring visual structure
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  Facilitating the alignment of text or objects within cells
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  Enhancing the accuracy of manual data entry by providing clear cell boundaries
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  Aiding in the creation of print-ready Excel documents by ensuring gridlines are visible
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  Assisting in the design of complex spreadsheets by re-enabling a fundamental layout tool

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