How to Change Gridline Color in Excel

Tap each step to see how to change the gridline color in Excel.

  1. Open "File β†’ Options"

    Click the "File" tab in the top left, then click "Options."

  2. Go to the "Advanced" menu

    Select "Advanced" from the list on the left side of the Options window.

  3. Find the worksheet display options

    Scroll down until you reach the section for display options of this worksheet.

  4. Change the gridline color

    Open the gridline color dropdown and pick the color you want.

  5. Why it helps

    Swapping the default gray for a lighter or darker shade can make data easier to read on screen and better match your preferred look.

A per-worksheet setting, not a per-file one

The gridline color option applies to the specific worksheet you have open when you change it, not automatically to every sheet in the workbook. If you want a consistent look across an entire file, you will need to repeat the steps on each sheet, or copy the formatting sheet by sheet.

Gridlines are a display aid, not printed by default

By default, gridlines only appear on screen to help you line up data as you work; they generally do not appear on a printed page unless you separately enable the "Print" checkbox for gridlines in the Page Layout tab. Changing their on-screen color has no effect on printed output on its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing gridline color affect other worksheets in the same file?

No. This setting applies only to the worksheet that is active when you make the change; other sheets keep their own gridline color setting.

Can I remove gridlines completely instead of changing their color?

Yes. In the "View" tab, unchecking "Gridlines" hides them entirely for that worksheet, which is a separate option from changing their color.