How to create cell border in Excel

This tutorial demonstrates how to add borders to Excel cells using built-in options and custom styles. Excel worksheets can be difficult to read without clear visual organization. Borders enhance readability by separating sections and highlighting key data like headings and totals, improving presentation.

- What are Excel cell borders?

• Adding borders in Excel
• Using the Format Cells dialog
• Excel border shortcuts
• Drawing borders in Excel
• Creating custom border styles
• Modifying border color and style
• Border examples
• Helpful border tips

Understanding Excel Cell Borders

Cell borders are lines surrounding individual cells or cell ranges. They visually distinguish spreadsheet sections, drawing attention to important data like totals. Don't confuse borders with gridlines; borders are thicker and more prominent, applied manually and always printed, unlike gridlines.

Excel offers multiple methods for adding borders.

Adding Borders in Excel

The quickest method uses the ribbon's built-in options:

1. Select the target cells.
2. On the Home tab, in the Font group, click the Borders dropdown arrow.
3. Choose a border style; it's instantly applied.

For example, this adds an outside border:

More examples are available here.

Tips:

• For custom colors and styles, select Line Color and Line Style under Draw Borders before choosing a border.
• The ribbon's Border button only offers outside borders. For complete control (including inside borders), use More Borders… at the bottom of the dropdown. This opens the Format Cells dialog.

Using the Format Cells Dialog

The Format Cells dialog provides comprehensive border control:

1. Select cells.

2. Access the Format Cells dialog:

   • Click the Borders dropdown arrow and select More Borders.
   • Right-click and choose Format Cells….
   • Use the Ctrl 1 shortcut.

   

3. On the Border tab, choose line style and color. Use Presets for outside/inside borders or select individual border elements (top, bottom, etc.). The preview updates instantly.

4. Click OK.

Excel Border Shortcuts

Excel offers keyboard shortcuts for quick border addition and removal:

Add Outside Border

Windows: Ctrl Shift & Mac: Command Option 0

Remove All Borders

Windows: Ctrl Shift _ Mac: Command Option _

Note: Shortcuts don't control line color or thickness. The Format Cells dialog offers superior control.

Format Cells Dialog Shortcuts

Within the Format Cells dialog's Borders tab:

• Left border: Alt L
• Right border: Alt R
• Top border: Alt T
• Bottom border: Alt B
• Upward diagonal: Alt D
• Horizontal interior: Alt H
• Vertical interior: Alt V

Tip: For multiple borders, press Alt once, then the letter keys (e.g., Alt T B for top and bottom).

Drawing Borders in Excel

Draw borders directly onto the worksheet:

1. On the Home tab, click the Borders dropdown arrow. Select Draw Borders.
2. Choose Line Color and Line Style. The cursor becomes a pencil.
3. Draw lines using Draw Border (any gridline) or Draw Border Grid (outside and inside borders simultaneously).
4. Click the Border button to stop drawing.

Tip: Use Erase Border to delete borders.

Creating Custom Border Styles

Create custom styles if predefined options are insufficient:

1. Home tab, Styles group, click Cell Styles, then New Cell Style.
2. Name the style, click Format, and use the Format Cells dialog to define the border.
3. Clear unwanted formatting, click OK.

Apply the custom style by selecting cells and choosing it from the Styles group.

Modifying Border Color and Width

Change border color and width:

1. Select cells.
2. Open Format Cells (Ctrl 1 or right-click).
3. On the Border tab, choose line style and color. Select the border type and check the preview. Click OK.

Border Examples

Here are some border examples:

Outside Border: Top and Bottom Border: Top and Thick Bottom Border: Bottom Double Border: Inside and Outside Borders: Custom Inside/Outside Borders:

Helpful Border Tips

• Border settings (style, thickness) apply to subsequent additions.
• Borders always print, unlike gridlines.
• Format data as an Excel table for automatic border application.

Removing Cell Borders

Remove All Borders

Select cells and choose No Border from the Borders dropdown. Alternatively, use the shortcut: Ctrl Shift _.

Erase Individual Borders

Use Erase Border to remove individual borders. Click the border to remove it or drag to remove multiple borders. Click the Border button to exit erase mode.

This concludes the tutorial on creating and managing borders in Excel.

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