Excel is a powerful software. We can perform numerous operations on our datasets using Excel tools and features. Excel worksheets contain the gray-colored gridlines by default. Gridlines make it easier for us to detect individual cells. Hence, we can select the desired cell or cell range and input data into them. But sometimes, these gridlines may go missing from the Excel worksheet due to various reasons. And this may bring complications. In this article, we’ll show you 5 possible solutions to get gridlines back in Excel.
To illustrate, we’ll use a sample dataset as an example. For instance, the following dataset represents the Salesman, Product, and Net Sales. In this dataset, you can see that the gridlines are not visible. This article will show you the easy ways to bring back the missing gridlines.
1. Getting Gridlines Back in Excel Using the View Tab
The most common reason for invisible gridlines is that they stay turned off. Users may disable the gridlines by mistake. Therefore, follow the steps below to activate the gridlines.
STEPS:
- First, go to the View tab.
- Subsequently, in the Show section, check the box for Gridlines.
- Look at the following figure to understand it properly.
- Thus, you’ll get the gridlines back in your Excel worksheet.
2. Setting the Default Color of Gridlines in Excel to Bring them Back
However, if White is set as the default color for gridlines, you won’t see the gridlines. The reason behind this is that the background of the Excel worksheet is also White. So we won’t be able to distinguish the white gridlines from the white background. Now, learn the following steps to set the default color of Excel Gridlines in such a way that we can see them.
STEPS:
- Firstly, go to the File tab.
- Then, click Options.
- As a result, the Excel Options dialog box will pop out.
- After that, select the Advanced tab.
- Now, under the Display options for this worksheet section, click the Gridline color drop-down icon.
- Next, choose Automatic or any other color except White.
- Press OK.
- Finally, it’ll return the gridlines.
- See the below picture to get a better understanding.
3. Removing White Borders from Cells to Get Gridlines Back in Excel
Moreover, the gridlines can go missing from a certain range of cells. In the below dataset, the B4:D10 cell range doesn’t have gridlines. This can happen due to some reasons. One possible cause could be the use of white borders for the selected cell range. So, follow the process below to Remove White Borders from Excel Cells to Display Gridlines.
STEPS:
- First of all, choose the range B4:D10.
- Next, press the Ctrl and 1 keys together.
- As a result, the Format Cells dialog box will appear.
- Here, you’ll see the color is set to White under the Border tab.
- In the Presets field, click None.
- Press OK afterward.
- In this way, you’ll get the desired gridlines in the range B4:D10.
4. Avoiding Color Overlay to Show Gridlines in Excel
Again, if we fill the Excel worksheet with white color, we won’t see the gridlines. So, we must avoid this white color overlay. Hence, learn the following process for avoiding color overlay to make gridlines visible.
STEPS:
- In the beginning, press the Ctrl and A keys simultaneously.
- Thus, it’ll select the entire worksheet.
- Then, under the Home tab, click the Fill Color drop-down icon.
- After that, choose No Fill.
- Accordingly, you’ll see the gridlines reappear in the worksheet.
Read More: How to Show Gridlines after Using Fill Color in Excel
5. Clearing Conditional Formatting Rules to Get Gridlines Back in Excel
Sometimes, due to some conditional formatting rules, the gridlines can go missing. In the B4:D10 cell range in the below dataset, there are no gridlines as the cells are not blank. If we can clear the rule, the gridlines will reappear immediately. Therefore, go through the steps below to carry out the operation.
STEPS:
- Firstly, click the Conditional Formatting drop-down icon in the Home tab.
- Then, select Clear Rules.
- Subsequently, choose Clear Rules from Entire Sheet.
- As a result, the missing gridlines will become visible again.
Read More: How Do You Fix Missing Gridlines in Excel
Download Practice Workbook
Download the following workbook to practice by yourself.
Conclusion
Henceforth, you will be able to get Gridlines back in Excel following the above-described solutions. Keep using them and let us know if you have more ways to do the task. Don’t forget to drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.
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