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How to Restore Missing Borders and Gridlines in Word Tables
Question details
The user needs to troubleshoot and restore table borders and gridlines that are hidden, incorrectly colored, or difficult to see.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Editing large tables where borders or structural outlines disappear, making it difficult to format or input data.
- Observed behavior
- Table borders and gridlines are missing, wrongly colored, or entirely invisible on the screen during document editing.
Verify whether the issue is isolated to a single document or affects all your Word files, as this helps determine if you need a simple layout adjustment or a full software repair.
Enable View Gridlines in Table Layout
If your table borders are intentionally hidden (set to 'No Border'), you can enable nonprinting gridlines to see the table structure while editing.
Click anywhere inside the Word table that is missing its visible outlines.
Look at the ribbon at the top of the Word window and click on the contextual 'Layout' tab located under Table Tools.
In the 'Table' group on the left side of the ribbon, click the 'View Gridlines' button to make the dashed cell outlines visible.
Run an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
If borders remain incorrectly colored or completely invisible despite adjusting settings, a software glitch may be responsible and requires an Office repair.
Easily Manage Table Borders and Gridlines in WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive interface for handling complex tables, ensuring your gridlines and borders display correctly. It provides a highly stable environment for large documents without the need for constant software repairs.
- 1. Open Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing your table.
- 2. Access Table Tools: Click anywhere inside the table to automatically activate the contextual Table Tools tab on the top ribbon.
- 3. Toggle Gridlines or Borders: Click 'View Gridlines' to reveal hidden cell structures, or use the 'Borders' dropdown menu to apply printable border lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my table gridlines not print in Word?
Table gridlines are strictly designed as a visual aid for editing and are nonprinting by default. If you want the lines dividing your cells to appear on the printed document, you must apply actual table borders.
What is the difference between gridlines and borders in a table?
Borders are physical lines applied to cells that will appear when the document is printed or exported as a PDF. Gridlines are light, dashed outlines that only display on your screen to help you see the table's structure when borders are hidden.
Will running an Office repair delete my Word documents?
No, running an Online Repair from Windows Apps and Features only fixes the core program files. Your personal documents, including tables, data, and custom templates, remain safe and unaffected.
