How to Fix Excel Rows, Columns, and Sheet Tabs Displaying White
Question details
The user is experiencing a graphical glitch where rows, columns, and worksheet tabs in Microsoft Excel turn completely white and remain blank while scrolling through the document.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Scrolling or navigating through a spreadsheet after a recent Microsoft 365 update.
- Observed behavior
- Sections of the Excel interface, including rows, columns, and sheet tabs, turn white and fail to render correctly during use.
Save all open workbooks and ensure you have administrative privileges, as resolving this issue may require updating device drivers or modifying the Windows Registry.
Update Microsoft 365
Since this bug is often tied to specific Office builds, installing the latest Microsoft 365 update is the most reliable way to receive the official patch.
Microsoft frequently releases patches for known display issues. Updating Excel to the latest version can instantly resolve the white screen glitch without needing advanced system changes.
Launch Microsoft Excel. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' from the left-hand menu.
Under the 'Product Information' section, click the 'Update Options' button.
Select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu. Allow Office to download and install any available updates, then restart Excel.
Update or Reinstall Graphics Card Drivers
Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can cause rendering conflicts with Excel's hardware acceleration.
Disable Office Hardware Acceleration via Registry
If updates do not fix the issue, you can manually disable hardware graphics acceleration using the Windows Registry Editor.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Excel Display Glitches
If Microsoft Excel continues to experience graphics issues and white screens, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and completely free spreadsheet solution that operates smoothly without the heavy hardware acceleration bugs found in other software.
- 1. Download and Install: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your PC.
- 2. Open Your Workbooks: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and seamlessly open your existing Microsoft Excel files without losing formatting.
- 3. Edit Glitch-Free: Enjoy a stable editing environment where rows, columns, and sheet tabs render perfectly while scrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Excel rows and columns suddenly turning white?
This is typically caused by a graphics rendering glitch related to Office hardware acceleration, outdated display drivers, or a specific bug introduced in a recent Microsoft 365 update.
Can I revert to a previous version of Excel to fix display issues?
Yes. If the white display issue started immediately after a recent Office update, you can temporarily revert to an earlier, stable build of Microsoft 365 using the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool until a permanent patch is released.
Is it safe to disable hardware acceleration in the Registry?
Disabling hardware acceleration via the Registry is generally safe and is an official troubleshooting step for resolving Office display bugs. However, you should always create a backup of your Registry before making any modifications.
