To remove the lines in Google Sheets, click View > Show and uncheck Gridlines. The light gray gridlines disappear from the whole sheet. If some lines are still visible, they’re cell borders: select the cells, click the Borders button in the toolbar, and choose Clear borders.
Gridlines and borders are different, and printing has its own setting. Here’s how to remove each kind of line.
Gridlines vs. borders
| Type of line | What it looks like | How to remove |
|---|---|---|
| Gridlines | Light gray lines on every cell | View > Show > uncheck Gridlines |
| Borders | Darker or colored lines you or someone added | Borders > Clear borders |
| Print gridlines | Lines on a printed page or PDF | Print settings > Formatting > uncheck Show gridlines |
How to hide gridlines in Google Sheets
- Open your spreadsheet.
- Click View in the menu bar.
- Hover over Show.
- Click Gridlines to remove the check mark.
This setting applies to the current sheet tab only. Repeat it on other tabs if needed. Everyone viewing the file sees the change.
How to remove cell borders
- Select the cells with borders. Press Ctrl + A (Command + A) to select the whole sheet.
- Click the Borders button (a square divided into four) in the toolbar.
- Click Clear borders (the square with no lines).
Keyboard shortcut: Alt + Shift + 6 (Option + Shift + 6 on a Mac) clears borders on the selected cells.
How to remove gridlines when printing
- Click File > Print, or press Ctrl + P.
- In the right panel, open Formatting.
- Uncheck Show gridlines.
- Click Next to print or save as PDF.
Hide gridlines in the Google Sheets app
On Android, tap the three-dot menu and turn off Gridlines. On iPhone and iPad, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings, and turn off Gridlines. Options may vary by app version.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hide gridlines for only some cells?
Not directly. Instead, give those cells a white fill color, which covers the gridlines.
Why are there still lines after hiding gridlines?
Those are borders. Select the cells and choose Borders > Clear borders.
Does hiding gridlines change my data?
No. It only changes how the sheet looks.
How do I bring gridlines back?
Click View > Show > Gridlines again.
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.