How to print excel with gridlines

To print Excel with gridlines, enable the gridline printing setting in Page Layout and confirm the print preview displays the lines.

Steps to turn on gridline printing

1. Open the worksheet.

2. Select the Page Layout tab.

3. Check the Print box under Gridlines in the Sheet Options group.

4. Press Ctrl + P on Windows or Command + P on Mac to open Print Preview.

5. Choose Print.

Windows and Mac differences

Windows displays Gridlines → Print directly under Sheet Options on the Page Layout tab.
Mac displays Gridlines → Print Gridlines in the Layout tab inside the ribbon.

Why gridlines do not print

Gridlines do not print because Excel disables them by default.

Fix steps

1. Remove any background fill color from cells because fill hides gridlines.

2. Choose Home → Clear → Clear Formats to restore cell formatting.

3. Enable Print Gridlines from Page Layout.

How to change gridline appearance before printing?

Excel does not allow gridline color changes for printing. Borders create customized lines.

Steps to use borders for stronger lines

1. Select the target cells.

2. Choose Home → Borders → All Borders.

3. Open Borders → Line Style to change thickness.

4. Use Print Preview to confirm the look.

How to print only selected cells with gridlines

To print only selected cells with gridlines, set the print area.

Steps

1. Highlight the range.

2. Choose Page Layout → Print Area → Set Print Area.

3. Turn on Print Gridlines.

4. Use Ctrl + P or Command + P to print.