Desktop Excel lets you change the gridline color for a worksheet. Open File > Options > Advanced, scroll to the display options for the current worksheet, and choose a darker Gridline color.
Change the worksheet gridline color
- Open the workbook in desktop Excel.
- Select File > Options.
- Choose Advanced.
- Scroll to Display options for this worksheet.
- Confirm that Show gridlines is enabled.
- Open Gridline color and choose a darker color.
- Select OK.
The setting applies to the selected worksheet, so another sheet in the same workbook can use a different gridline color.
Gridlines are not borders
Gridlines are visual guides around worksheet cells. If you need strong lines that print reliably or need different line weights around selected cells, apply cell borders instead.
Printing gridlines
Changing the on-screen gridline color is separate from choosing whether worksheet gridlines print. Use the Page Layout sheet options when you want gridlines included on paper or in a print-oriented output.
Although the original article refers to Excel 2016, the same general option remains available in current desktop Excel versions.
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.
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