How to Fix Word Table Gridlines Not Showing in Print Preview
Question details
The user wants to know why the dotted lines around a Word table are not visible in Print Preview and how to make them appear on printed pages.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing a Word document before printing and noticing that the table lines are missing.
- Observed behavior
- Table lines are visible as dotted lines during editing but completely disappear when viewing the document in Print Preview or after printing.
Before printing, determine whether the lines around your table are merely visual gridlines (which do not print) or actual applied borders.
Apply Table Borders for Printing
Convert visual editing gridlines into actual printed borders so they appear in Print Preview and on the physical paper.
Gridlines in Word are designed strictly as visual guides to help you align text during editing. Because they are not actual formatting borders, they will not print. To print the lines, you must apply borders to the table cells.
Click the crosshair icon at the top-left corner of your table to select it completely.
On the top ribbon, click the contextual 'Table Design' tab that appears when a table is selected.
Click the 'Borders' dropdown in the Borders group, and select 'All Borders'. If you want to customize the line thickness or style, choose 'Borders and Shading' at the bottom of the dropdown menu.
Show or Hide Gridlines During Editing
Use this method if you simply want to toggle the visual layout guides while typing without making them printable.
Easily Manage Table Borders and Gridlines in WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for managing table structures. You can easily switch between editing gridlines and printable borders, ensuring your documents look perfect both on the screen and on paper.
- 1. Select Your Table: Open your document in WPS Writer and click the table selector icon at the top-left of the table.
- 2. Access Table Tools: Navigate to the 'Table Tools' tab located on the top ribbon.
- 3. Apply Printable Borders: Click the 'Borders' icon and choose 'All Borders' to ensure your table lines are visible when printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between gridlines and borders in Word?
Gridlines are visual guides represented by faint dotted lines that only appear during the editing process to help you see cell boundaries; they do not print. Borders are actual formatting lines applied to the table cells that are visible in Print Preview and on final printed documents.
How do I remove table borders but keep the gridlines visible?
To remove borders, select your table, go to the Table Design tab, click Borders, and choose 'No Border'. To ensure you can still see the layout structure while editing, go to the Table Layout tab and click 'View Gridlines'.
Why are some borders printing but not others?
This happens when borders are only applied to specific cells or sides of the table. To fix this, select the entire table, go to Table Design > Borders, and select 'All Borders' to ensure all lines print uniformly.
Can I change the color and thickness of my printed table lines?
Yes. Select your table, go to Table Design > Borders, and select 'Borders and Shading' at the bottom of the list. From there, you can customize the color, width, and style of your borders before applying them to the table.
