Show or Hide Table Gridlines in Word Documents

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated October 9, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2013, 2016, 2019 or 365 (Windows)

If you work with tables in Microsoft Word, it's a good idea to show gridlines. Table gridlines don't print but borders do print. If borders are removed from a table, users may not recognize the table if gridlines are not displayed.

Note: Buttons and Ribbon tabs may display in a different way (with or without text) depending on your version of Word, the size of your screen and your Control Panel settings. For Word 365 users, Ribbon tabs may appear with different names. For example, the Table Tools Design tab may appear as Table Design.

Recommended article: How to Keep a Microsoft Word Table Together on One Page

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Turning gridlines on (or off)

To turn gridlines on or off:

  1. Click in a table.
  2. Click the Table Tools Layout or Table Layout tab.
  3. Click View Gridlines. Gridlines will stay on for all Word documents.

View Gridlines appears on the Table Tools Layout or Table Layout tab when you click in a table:

View gridlines on the Ribbon in Word.

Once gridlines have been turned on, they will continue to be displayed until you turn them off.

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Summary
How to Show Table Gridlines in Microsoft Word
Article Name
How to Show Table Gridlines in Microsoft Word
Description
If you work with tables in Microsoft Word, it's a good idea to show gridlines. Table gridlines don't print but borders do print. If borders are removed from a table, users may not recognize the table if gridlines are not displayed.
Author
Publisher Name
Avantix Learning

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