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Fix Excel Gridlines Disappearing When Writing on Touchscreen
Question details
The user needs to restore worksheet gridlines that vanish when interacting with the software using a touchscreen or stylus.
- Product
- Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Writing, drawing, or navigating on an Excel worksheet using a touchscreen device.
- Observed behavior
- The default cellular gridlines disappear from the screen as soon as touchscreen writing or interaction begins.
Ensure your device's touchscreen and stylus drivers are fully updated, and check whether the issue happens in a new, blank workbook or just a specific file.
Enable Gridlines from the View Tab
The most common fix is to manually re-enable the gridlines option, which can sometimes be accidentally toggled off during touch gestures or when switching modes.
Excel has a dedicated setting in the ribbon to toggle the visibility of gridlines. Activating this ensures the grid remains fixed on your screen regardless of input methods.
Launch your Excel workbook and navigate to the 'View' tab located on the top ribbon menu.
Find the 'Show' group within the View tab, which houses the toggles for various interface elements.
Check the box immediately next to 'Gridlines' to turn them back on. Your cellular grid should reappear instantly.
Remove White Cell Fill Color
If enabling gridlines in the View tab doesn't work, cells might have a solid white background color applied, which hides the default gray gridlines.
Use WPS Spreadsheet for Flawless Touchscreen Interaction
WPS Office offers a highly compatible and lightweight spreadsheet tool with robust touchscreen support, ensuring your gridlines and data stay perfectly visible while you write or draw.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your touchscreen device.
- 2. Open your file: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel workbook.
- 3. Enable Gridlines: Navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and check the 'View Gridlines' box.
- 4. Edit with touch: Use your finger or stylus to write, select, and draw without losing the worksheet grid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using 'Draw' mode hide gridlines by default?
No, entering the Draw tab or using a stylus to ink on a worksheet does not inherently hide gridlines. If they disappear, it is usually due to a display glitch or the gridlines setting being toggled off.
Why do my Excel gridlines disappear only when I print?
Worksheet gridlines do not print by default. To make them visible on paper or in a PDF, go to the 'Page Layout' tab, find the 'Sheet Options' group, and check the 'Print' box directly under the 'Gridlines' heading.
How do I change the color of my gridlines to make them easier to see?
To change the gridline color, navigate to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the section titled 'Display options for this worksheet', click the 'Gridline color' dropdown, and choose a darker or more visible color.
