Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Printing Gridlines in Excel on Windows and Mac

Have you ever found yourself puzzled about printing gridlines in Microsoft Excel? The lack of visible gridlines in printed spreadsheets can be frustrating. But worry no more! In this article, we will address the conflict of not knowing how to print gridlines and provide you with a quick and easy solution. Discover the ultimate step-by-step guide to printing gridlines in Excel on both Windows and Mac platforms. Say goodbye to confusion and hello to perfectly printed grids!

How to Print Gridlines in Excel Online on Windows and Mac

Printing gridlines in Excel Online is a useful feature that allows you to maintain the visual structure of your worksheets. Whether you're using Windows or Mac, follow these simple steps to print gridlines in Excel Online:

1. Go to Excel Online Website

• Launch your preferred web browser and navigate to the Excel Online website.

• Log in to your Microsoft account or create a new account if you don't have one.

2. Creating Borders in an Excel Workbook

• Open the Excel workbook that contains the worksheet you want to print with gridlines.

• Select the cells or range of cells for which you want to enable gridlines.

• In the toolbar, locate the "Border" option and click on it.

• Choose the desired border style, such as solid lines, dashed lines, or dotted lines.

• Apply the border style to the selected cells to create gridlines.

3. Editing in Print Preview Mode

• Click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner of the Excel Online interface.

• From the dropdown menu, select the "Print" option.

• This will open the print preview mode, where you can see how the worksheet will appear when printed.

4. Click on the Print button

• In the print preview mode, ensure that the gridlines are visible and properly aligned.

• Once you are satisfied with the preview, click on the "Print" button.

• Follow the prompts to choose your printing options, such as selecting the printer and setting the number of copies.

• Finally, click on the "Print" button to initiate the printing process.

Congratulations! You have successfully printed gridlines in Excel Online on both Windows and Mac.

Remember, printing gridlines helps maintain the visual integrity of your Excel worksheets and makes them easier to read and understand. Enjoy the convenience of Excel Online as you print your grids, adding a professional touch to your printed documents.

How to Print Gridlines in Excel with Empty Cells on Windows and Mac

Printing gridlines in Excel can be helpful for maintaining the structure of your worksheets, even when there are empty cells. Whether you're using Windows or Mac, follow these steps to print gridlines in Excel with empty cells:

1. Go to Page Layout → Page Setup

• Open your Excel workbook and navigate to the "Page Layout" tab.

• In the "Page Setup" group, click on the "Page Setup" dialog box launcher.

• This will open the "Page Setup" window.

2. Check the Sheet tab → Gridlines and click OK

• In the "Page Setup" window, navigate to the "Sheet" tab.

• Under the "Print" section, check the "Gridlines" option.

• Click on the "OK" button to save the changes.

3. Select a range of cells → Page Layout → Print Area → Set Print Area

• Select the range of cells that you want to print, including the empty cells with gridlines.

• Go to the "Page Layout" tab and click on the "Print Area" dropdown menu.

• Choose the "Set Print Area" option to define the selected range as the print area.

4. Go to File and click Print

• Click on the "File" tab in the Excel ribbon.

• From the menu, select the "Print" option.

• In the print settings window, you can review the print preview to ensure the gridlines and empty cells are included, you can choose to print lines on one page.

• Adjust any additional print settings as needed, such as selecting the printer and setting the number of copies.

• Finally, click on the "Print" button to initiate the printing process.

Congratulations! You have successfully printed gridlines in Excel, even with empty cells, on both Windows and Mac.

Troubleshooting Gridlines Printing Issues

Printing gridlines in Excel is a convenient way to maintain the visual structure of your worksheets. However, you may encounter some issues with gridlines not appearing, alignment problems, or gridlines printing too faint or thick. Here are some troubleshooting tips to address these common gridlines printing issues:

Issue 1: Gridlines Not Visible after Printing

If the gridlines do not appear on the printed worksheet, try the following solutions:

• Ensure Gridlines Option: Before printing, make sure that the "Gridlines" option is selected in the print settings. This ensures that gridlines are included in the printout.

• Display Gridlines: Check if the gridlines are visible on the screen before printing. If not, go to the "View" tab in Excel and enable the display of gridlines. Once they are visible on the screen, they should also be visible in the printout.

• Conflict with Formatting: Check if any applied cell formatting or borders are overriding the gridlines. Remove any conflicting formatting to restore the visibility of gridlines.

Issue 2: Gridlines Not Aligned Properly

If the gridlines are not aligned properly in the printout, follow these steps:

• Adjust Print Area: Double-check the selected print area. Make sure it covers the range of cells with the desired gridlines. Use the "Page Layout" tab and "Print Area" settings to define the correct print area.

• Page Orientation: Verify the page orientation (portrait or landscape) matches the layout of your worksheet. Adjust the orientation if needed to ensure proper alignment of gridlines in the printout.

• Scaling Options: Experiment with different scaling options to ensure the gridlines align correctly. Use the "Scale to Fit" settings under the "Page Layout" tab to adjust the print scaling until the gridlines align properly.

Issue 3: Gridlines Printing Too Faint or Thick

To address issues with gridlines being too faint or thick when printed, consider the following solutions:

• Adjust Gridline Color: Modify the gridline color to a darker shade for better visibility. Choose a color that contrasts well with the cell background to make the gridlines stand out.

• Line Style Adjustment: Adjust the line style of the gridlines to make them thinner or thicker as desired. Experiment with different line styles to find the optimal thickness for your printout.

• Printer Settings: Ensure that the printer settings are appropriately configured. Consult your printer's user manual for guidance on adjusting print quality and density. Adjusting printer settings can help achieve the desired thickness of printed gridlines.

By implementing these troubleshooting tips, you can resolve common issues related to gridlines printing in Excel. Enjoy the clarity and precision of printed gridlines in your Excel worksheets.

Best Alternative to Microsoft Excel for Printing Gridlines

WPS Office

When it comes to finding a reliable alternative to Microsoft Excel, WPS Office emerges as an excellent choice. Offering a comprehensive suite of office productivity tools, WPS Office provides a viable alternative to Excel with its feature-rich spreadsheet application called WPS Spreadsheet. In addition to its overall functionality, WPS Spreadsheet excels in gridline printing capabilities, making it the best alternative for users seeking efficient and flexible gridline printing options.

Here's why WPS Office stands out as the best alternative:

• Flexibility in Printing Options: WPS Spreadsheet provides more flexibility in printing gridlines. Users can choose to print gridlines for the entire spreadsheet or only specific areas, offering greater control over the printed output. This allows you to customize the printing according to your specific requirements.

• Flexible Gridlines Customization: WPS Spreadsheet allows for greater customization of gridlines when printing. You can adjust the line style, thickness, and color of the gridlines to suit your preferences. This level of customization ensures that your printed documents maintain a professional and organized appearance.

• Cost-effective Solution: WPS Spreadsheet is a cost-effective alternative to Microsoft Excel. Unlike Excel, which often requires a paid subscription or license, WPS Office offers a free version with comprehensive features, including robust gridline printing capabilities. This makes it an attractive option for individuals and businesses seeking a budget-friendly alternative.

• User-friendly Interface: WPS Office boasts a user-friendly interface that is intuitive and easy to navigate. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced spreadsheet user, you'll find it simple to access and utilize the gridline printing options within WPS Spreadsheet.

Google Sheets

Google Sheets, developed by Google, is a web-based spreadsheet application that offers users a convenient and collaborative platform for creating, editing, and analyzing data. With its cloud-based accessibility and real-time collaboration features, Google Sheets has become a popular choice for individuals and businesses alike.

How to Print Gridlines in Google Sheets

Printing gridlines in Google Sheets is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to print gridlines in your Google Sheets document:

1. Select a range of cells: Choose the specific range of cells that you want to print with gridlines. You can click and drag to select the desired cells or use the keyboard shortcuts to define the range.

2. Go to File → Print: In the top-left corner of the Google Sheets interface, click on the "File" menu. From the dropdown menu, select the "Print" option. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut CTRL + P.

3. Enable Show gridlines: In the print settings window, you'll see various options. Under the "Print" section, select the "Selected cells (A1:E10)" option or choose the appropriate range of cells you've selected. Then, expand the "Formatting" section and enable the "Show gridlines" checkbox.

4. Choose paper size and orientation: Customize the paper size and orientation according to your preferences. Google Sheets offers a range of standard paper sizes, such as A4, letter, legal, etc. Select the appropriate size and choose between portrait or landscape orientation.

5. Click Next, and the gridlines will be printed: After configuring the print settings, click on the "Next" button to review the print preview. Ensure that the gridlines are visible and aligned properly. If everything looks satisfactory, click on the "Print" button to initiate the printing process.

By following these steps, you can easily print gridlines in your Google Sheets document. Enjoy the convenience of using Google Sheets and the visual clarity provided by the gridlines in your printed worksheets.

FAQs

1. How do I change the color of gridlines in Excel?

To change the color of gridlines in Excel, follow these steps:

• Select the range of cells where you want to modify the gridline color.

• Go to the "Home" tab and click on the "Format" button in the "Cells" group.

• From the dropdown menu, choose "Format Cells" and go to the "Border" tab.

• In the "Color" section, select the desired color for the gridlines and click "OK" to apply the changes.

2. How to change the thickness of gridlines in Excel?

To adjust the thickness of gridlines in Excel, follow these steps:

• Select the range of cells with gridlines that you want to modify.

• Go to the "Home" tab and click on the "Format" button in the "Cells" group.

• From the dropdown menu, choose "Format Cells" and go to the "Border" tab.

• In the "Line Style" section, choose the desired thickness for the gridlines and click "OK" to apply the changes.

3. Why are my gridlines not printing even though they are visible on the screen?

If gridlines are not printing despite being visible on the screen, consider the following solutions:

• Ensure the "Gridlines" option is selected in the print settings.

• Check for conflicting formatting or cell borders that may override the gridlines.

• Verify the selected print area covers the range of cells with gridlines.

• Adjust the print settings for page orientation and scaling options.

4. How can I print gridlines in Excel for iPad?

To print gridlines in Excel for iPad, follow these steps:

• Open the Excel app on your iPad and open the desired workbook.

• Tap on the "Share" button, usually located in the top-right corner.

• From the sharing options, choose "Print".

• In the print settings, enable the "Gridlines" option.

• Configure other print settings as needed, such as paper size and orientation.

• Finally, tap on the "Print" button to initiate the printing process.

These FAQs address common queries related to gridlines in Excel, including customization options, troubleshooting, and printing on different devices.

Final Thought

In conclusion, this ultimate step-by-step guide has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of how to print gridlines in Excel on both Windows and Mac operating systems. We began by exploring the built-in gridline printing options in Excel and demonstrated the various methods to enable and customize gridlines for printing. From adjusting print settings to utilizing print preview mode, you now have the tools to ensure that your printed Excel documents maintain clear and visible gridlines.

Additionally, we discussed the best alternatives to Microsoft Excel for gridline printing. WPS Office emerged as a standout choice, offering flexible printing options, extensive gridline customization, and a cost-effective solution. With WPS Office's intuitive interface and powerful features, such as WPS Spreadsheet, you can confidently print gridlines and manage your data efficiently.

Remember, when it comes to printing gridlines in Excel, it's crucial to choose a solution that aligns with your specific needs. WPS Office, with its impressive capabilities and compatibility with both Windows and Mac, offers a compelling alternative to Microsoft Excel. So why not give it a try and experience the convenience and versatility of WPS Office for yourself?