Office Settings & Configuration

How to Restore Excel's White Background and Black Gridlines

Maira Mehtab Sep 30, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to revert their Excel worksheet background to the default white color with black gridlines.

How to Restore Excel's White Background and Black Gridlines

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: An Office theme or appearance setting was changed, modifying the visual layout of the application.
Observed behavior: The Excel worksheet displays a gray background instead of the standard white background with black gridlines.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved your current workbook before making application-wide changes to your Office settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Change the Office Theme in Excel Options

Adjusting the Office Theme setting will restore the default white background and black gridlines across all your Excel worksheets.

Microsoft Office allows users to personalize the appearance of their applications. If your background has turned gray, it is likely due to the Office Theme being set to 'Dark Gray' or 'Black'.

Open Excel Options

Launch Microsoft Excel, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' located at the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Navigate to General Settings

In the Excel Options dialog box, ensure the 'General' tab is selected from the left pane.

Change the Office Theme

Scroll down to the section labeled 'Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office'. Click the drop-down menu next to 'Office Theme'.

Select Preferred Theme and Apply

Choose 'Colorful' or 'White' from the drop-down list, then click the 'OK' button to save and apply the changes.

Change the Office Theme in Excel Options

Theme Application Scope: Changing the Office Theme in Excel will automatically apply this new appearance setting to all other Microsoft Office applications, such as Word and PowerPoint.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a Clean and Classic Spreadsheet Interface with WPS Office

If you prefer a lightweight, easy-to-use office suite with a classic, intuitive interface, try WPS Office. It provides a traditional spreadsheet experience with perfect compatibility for all your Excel files.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free office suite and follow the simple installation prompts.
2. Open Your Spreadsheets: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing Excel files to view and edit them in a clean, brightly lit interface.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) formats.Clean, traditional spreadsheet interface with a default white background.Lightweight architecture that runs smoothly on all devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Excel background turn gray automatically?

Your Excel background may turn gray automatically if your computer's system settings changed to Dark Mode and your Office Theme is set to 'Use system setting'. It can also happen if your Office account synced theme preferences from another device.

How do I change the background color of specific cells instead of the whole application?

To change the background color of specific cells only, highlight the cells you want to modify, go to the 'Home' tab on the ribbon, and click the 'Fill Color' icon (the paint bucket) to select your preferred color.

Will changing the Office Theme affect how my worksheets print?

No, the Office Theme only changes the visual appearance of the application interface on your screen. It does not affect the actual formatting of your cells or how your worksheets look when printed or shared with others.

How do I show gridlines if my background is white but the lines are missing?

If your background is white but gridlines are completely hidden, navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and ensure the 'Gridlines' checkbox in the 'Show' group is checked.

Office App Problems