If the default gridline colors in Excel don't match your application's aesthetic or feel repetitive, you can easily customize them to better suit your preferences. While manually adjusting each cell's border color is an option, it can be time-consuming and cumbersome. Fortunately, Excel offers a more efficient method to achieve how to make gridlines darker/brighter/bold etc. in Excel.
By changing the line color settings, you can quickly modify the appearance of your gridlines without the need to format each cell individually. This approach not only saves time but also ensures consistency across your spreadsheet.
In this article, we will demonstrate how to make Excel's gridlines darker and more visually appealing in Excel 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007. By following our step-by-step guide, you can easily customize the gridline colors to match your desired look and feel. Whether you're working on a professional report or a personal project, this customization option allows you to create visually appealing and cohesive Excel spreadsheets that align with your design preferences.
By leveraging these customization features, you can enhance the visual appeal of your Excel spreadsheets and create a more polished and professional look. With just a few simple adjustments, you can transform the appearance of your grids and improve the overall presentation of your data.
Steps for Changing Gridline Color in Excel
To change the line color of gridlines in Excel, follow these steps:
- Open the Options window by clicking on File > Options.
- Navigate to the Advanced tab.
- Scroll down to the Display options for this worksheet section.
- Choose the worksheet where you want to modify the gridline color.
- Locate the Gridline color setting at the end of this section.
- Select your preferred color from the available options.
- Click OK to apply the new gridline color.
By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily customize the appearance of gridlines in Excel, making them darker or adjusting them to better suit your needs. This customization can enhance the visual appeal of your spreadsheets and help you create professional-looking documents.
Things to consider to Change Gridline Color in Excel
After changing the line color of gridlines in Excel, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:
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Show Gridlines Option: Ensure that the "Show Gridlines" option is enabled in Excel. If gridlines are hidden, any changes to their color will not be visible. You can find this option in the View tab under the Show group.
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Worksheet Selection: The Gridline color setting applies to the selected worksheet(s) only. Before changing the color, make sure the target sheet(s) are selected.
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Color Limitations: Excel offers a range of colors to choose from, including those available in the Automatic color type, which is the default gridline color. However, there are limitations to the colors you can select, with approximately 55 colors available for customization.
By keeping these considerations in mind, you can effectively use the gridline color settings in Excel to customize the appearance of your worksheets and improve their visual clarity. These adjustments can enhance the overall presentation of your data and make your spreadsheets more visually appealing and easier to read.
Tips
In Excel, after changing the line color of gridlines, you can also ensure that these customizations are reflected in your printed documents. To include gridlines in your printed sheets, follow these steps:
- Navigate to the "Page Layout" tab in Excel.
- Locate the "Sheet Options" group.
- Check the "Print" box under "Gridlines".
By enabling this option, the gridlines with their newly adjusted colors will be included in your printed Excel documents, ensuring that your customizations are preserved in both on-screen viewing and printed outputs.
For more detailed instructions on how to print gridlines in Excel and ensure your custom line colors are applied to printed documents, refer to our article on "How to Print Gridlines in Excel." This resource provides comprehensive guidance on printing options in Excel, ensuring that your gridline color settings are accurately reflected in your final printed documents.
By following these steps and guidelines, you can effectively customize the appearance of gridlines in Excel, ensuring that your worksheets are visually consistent and professionally presented both on-screen and in print.
