How to Fix Missing Gridlines in Newly Created Excel Worksheets
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where newly created Excel worksheets are missing gridlines by default, although they appear normally when Excel is run in Safe Mode.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a new workbook or a new worksheet within an existing open Excel application.
- Observed behavior
- Gridlines do not appear automatically in newly created worksheets, indicating a conflict likely caused by an add-in, modified startup template, macro, or background process.
Before making changes to your settings or disabling add-ins, save your current work and verify if the issue persists when you launch Excel in Safe Mode by holding the Ctrl key while opening the application.
Disable COM and Excel Add-ins
Since the issue does not happen in Safe Mode, third-party add-ins (such as think-cell or Analysis ToolPak) might be overriding your display settings and hiding the gridlines.
Safe Mode bypasses all customized settings and third-party integrations. Disabling add-ins manually helps pinpoint exactly which extension is causing the visual glitch.
Open Excel, navigate to the File tab, and click on Options at the bottom left. In the Excel Options dialog, select Add-ins from the left sidebar.
At the bottom of the window, ensure 'Excel Add-ins' is selected in the Manage drop-down menu and click Go. Uncheck all active add-ins and click OK.
Return to the Add-ins menu, select 'COM Add-ins' from the Manage drop-down, and click Go. Uncheck all items here as well, then click OK.
Close Microsoft Excel entirely and reopen it. Create a new blank workbook to see if the gridlines are visible by default.
Reset Default Excel Startup Templates
Custom default templates might have gridlines turned off, causing every new sheet or workbook generated to inherit this invisible gridline setting.
Perform an Office Online Repair
If tweaking add-ins and removing startup files does not resolve the issue, your Microsoft Office installation files might be corrupted and require repairing.
Try WPS Office for a Bug-Free Spreadsheet Experience
If Microsoft Excel continues to experience display glitches like missing gridlines or add-in conflicts, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible spreadsheet tool that operates smoothly without the complex configuration bugs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and open WPS Spreadsheets once the installation is complete.
- 3. Create Your Spreadsheet: Click 'Blank' to create a new spreadsheet and enjoy a clean, error-free gridline display instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I manually turn gridlines back on for a single worksheet?
Navigate to the View tab on the Excel ribbon and check the 'Gridlines' box in the Show group. You can also find this option under the Page Layout tab in the Sheet Options group by checking the 'View' box under Gridlines.
Why do gridlines show up in Safe Mode but not in normal mode?
Safe Mode loads Excel without any custom add-ins, startup templates, or customized toolbars. If gridlines appear in Safe Mode, it confirms that a third-party add-in, a corrupted startup file, or a conflicting macro in your normal mode is causing them to hide.
Can a printer driver cause Excel gridlines to disappear?
Yes, Excel interacts heavily with your default printer driver to render pages accurately. A corrupted or outdated printer driver can cause display issues on the screen. Try temporarily changing your default printer to 'Microsoft Print to PDF' in your Windows settings to see if the gridlines return.
Are cell borders the same as gridlines in Excel?
No. Gridlines are faint, default lines that visually separate cells across the entire worksheet to guide your eyes, but they do not print by default. Cell borders are customizable, solid lines you manually apply to specific cells, which will appear on your final printed documents.
