Google Sheets shows gridlines on screen, but by default they don’t always print, so your printout can look like a jumble of floating numbers. You can turn printed gridlines on in the print settings, or add borders for darker, more reliable lines. This guide covers both methods, printing only part of a sheet, fitting it on one page, and fixes for faint or missing lines.
Quick Answer
Press Ctrl + P (Cmd + P on Mac), or choose File > Print. In the settings panel, open Formatting and check Show gridlines. Click Next, then Print.
Method 1: Show Gridlines in Print Settings
- Open the sheet at sheets.google.com.
- Choose File > Print, or press Ctrl + P.
- In the right-hand panel, click Formatting to expand it.
- Check Show gridlines. The preview shows the lines.
- Click Next, choose your printer (or Save as PDF), and click Print.
Gridlines print only around cells within the print area that contain data, or within the range you select.
Method 2: Add Borders (Darker, More Control)
Printed gridlines are thin and light gray. For bolder lines, or lines around empty cells, use borders:
- Select the range, such as A1:F30.
- Click Borders in the toolbar (the square grid icon).
- Choose All borders, then optionally set the border color and style.
- Print normally. Borders always print, whether or not Show gridlines is checked.
Gridlines vs. Borders
| Printed gridlines | Borders | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | One checkbox in print settings | Applied to selected cells |
| Color and thickness | Thin, light gray only | Any color, several styles |
| Empty cells | Only within the printed range | Wherever you apply them |
| Shows on screen | Screen gridlines are separate | Yes |
Print Only Part of the Sheet with Gridlines
- Select the cells you want to print.
- Press Ctrl + P.
- Under Print, choose Selected cells.
- Check Show gridlines under Formatting, and print.
Make It Fit on One Page
- Set Scale to Fit to width or Fit to page.
- Switch Page orientation to Landscape for wide sheets.
- Use Margins > Narrow.
- Under Headers & footers, add page numbers or the sheet name. Use View > Freeze with frozen rows to repeat headers on each page.
You can also put page numbers at the top of the page when printing.
Troubleshooting
Gridlines don’t print
Make sure Show gridlines is checked in the print panel, not just View > Show > Gridlines, which controls the screen only. Check that the cells aren’t filled with white, which hides gridlines.
The lines are too faint
Some printers render thin gray lines lightly. Use borders in black or dark gray instead.
Gridlines stop partway through the page
Printed gridlines end where your data ends. Select a larger range and print Selected cells, or add borders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print gridlines from the Google Sheets mobile app?
Print options on phones are limited. For reliable gridlines, add borders first, or print from a computer.
Does the gridline setting save with the sheet?
Print settings may reset between print jobs, so check the box each time you print.
Summary
- Press Ctrl + P and open Formatting.
- Check Show gridlines and print.
- Use Borders > All borders for darker lines.
- Print Selected cells and adjust scale to fit the page.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.