Overview: In some cases gridlines might be enabled at a sheet level or at a workbook template level. This guide will allow users the ability to remove Gridlines from Sheets in Excel and to turn it off by default for all Excel workbooks.
Turning off Gridlines for a Single Excel sheet
Repeat for each worksheet you wish to individually turn off the gridlines for:
Go to the View tab.
In the Show group, uncheck Gridlines.
Alternatively:
Go to the Page Layout tab.
In the Sheet Options group under Gridlines, uncheck View.
Turning Off Gridlines for Multiple Sheets at Once
If you're setting up a new workbook or all sheets should look the same:
Right-click on any sheet tab at the bottom and choose Select All Sheets.
Go to the View or Page Layout tab.
Uncheck Gridlines.
This will apply the change to all selected sheets simultaneously.
Tip: Right-click any sheet tab again and select Ungroup Sheets when done, or changes you make will affect all sheets
Tip: Right-click any sheet tab again and select Ungroup Sheets when done, or changes you make will affect all sheets
Turning Off Gridlines by Default for all New Excel workbooks
The Display Gridlines setting applies to each worksheet individually.
If you want gridlines off by default when creating new sheets or workbooks, follow these steps:
Open a new blank workbook in Excel.
Turn off gridlines for the sheet:
Go to View or Page Layout and uncheck Gridlines.
Save the sheet as an Excel Template:
File > Save As > select Excel Template (*.xltx)
Name it Sheet.xltx
Save the same workbook again as Book.xltx (also as a template file *.xltx).
These templates act as defaults:
Sheet.xltx = template for new worksheets.
Book.xltx = template for new workbooks.
5. Save both files in your XLStart folder on your computer: (which can vary but is usually in the following location)
C:\Users\<yourusername>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART
If folder is hidden — enable hidden files and folders in File Explorer View settings to see it.
If you still can’t find the XLSTART folder, follow Microsoft’s guide here.