Formatting Issues

How to Remove an Excel Cell Border From One Side Only

Steve K Oct 9, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to remove a border from only one specific side of an Excel cell because the standard keyboard shortcuts only add borders or clear all borders at once.

How to Remove an Excel Cell Border From One Side Only

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Editing cell borders in a spreadsheet where only a specific side needs its border removed without affecting the remaining sides.
Observed behavior: Keyboard shortcuts like Alt+H+B+R add a border but do not toggle it off upon a second press, while the clear border shortcut removes all borders from the selected cells.

Before you start

Ensure you have selected the exact cell or range of cells where you want to adjust the borders before applying these formatting changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Format Cells Dialog

The most precise and reliable way to add or remove individual cell borders without deleting the borders on the other sides.

Since Excel's default individual border shortcuts are designed to only apply formatting, utilizing the Format Cells menu gives you full manual control to toggle individual sides on and off.

Select the Cells

Highlight the specific cell or range of cells that you want to modify.

Open Format Cells Menu

Right-click the selected cells and choose 'Format Cells' from the context menu, or press the keyboard shortcut 'Ctrl + 1'.

Navigate to the Border Tab

Click on the 'Border' tab at the top of the dialog box to view your current border layout.

Toggle the Specific Border

In the preview diagram, click directly on the border line (top, bottom, left, or right) you wish to remove. The line will disappear from the preview.

Apply the Changes

Click 'OK' at the bottom of the dialog box to apply the new border settings to your cells.

Pro Tip: If you are processing borders across a large data table, selecting and formatting column by column can prevent accidentally removing adjacent cell borders.

Solution 2

Create a VBA Macro for Toggling Borders

For advanced users who want a custom keyboard shortcut that actually toggles a single border on and off.

Efficient Spreadsheet Management

Customize Cell Borders Easily with WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Office offers an intuitive and highly compatible spreadsheet application that makes formatting cells incredibly simple. You can easily modify, add, or remove specific cell borders with full visual control.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the file you wish to edit.
2. Select Target Cells: Highlight the specific cells that require border adjustments.
3. Access Formatting Options: Right-click the selection and choose 'Format Cells', then navigate to the 'Borders' tab.
4. Remove Specific Borders: Click on the specific border line within the visual preview area to instantly toggle it off, then click 'OK'.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls)Intuitive visual interface for precise cell formattingLightweight application that runs smoothly on almost any deviceCompletely free to use for everyday office tasks

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the Alt+H+B+R shortcut remove the right border when pressed again?

Native Excel individual border shortcuts (like Alt+H+B+R for right border) are programmed strictly to apply formatting. They do not act as a toggle switch. To remove a specific border, you must manually adjust it in the Format Cells dialog or use VBA.

Is there a shortcut to clear all borders at once?

Yes, you can easily remove all borders from a selected cell or range by selecting the cells and pressing 'Ctrl + Shift + _' (underscore).

How can I provide feedback to Microsoft about this shortcut limitation?

You can submit feedback and feature requests directly to Microsoft's development team by visiting the official Excel Feedback Portal online and detailing your request for border-toggling shortcuts.

Document & File Issues