When creating charts in Microsoft Excel, gridlines can often mess up the visual presentation, disturbing viewers from the actual data. Luckily, there are some easy methods available to remove these gridlines. Well, in this blog, I will discuss step-by-step methods on how to remove gridlines in Excel chart, allowing your charts to appear cleaner & more professional.
To repair corrupted Excel file, we recommend this tool:
This software will prevent Excel workbook data such as BI data, financial reports & other analytical information from corruption and data loss. With this software you can rebuild corrupt Excel files and restore every single visual representation & dataset to its original, intact state in 3 easy steps:
- Try Excel File Repair Tool rated Excellent by Softpedia, Softonic & CNET.
- Select the corrupt Excel file (XLS, XLSX) & click Repair to initiate the repair process.
- Preview the repaired files and click Save File to save the files at desired location.
Quick Navigation:
What Are Gridlines in Excel Charts & Why They’re Important?
In Excel charts, gridlines are the horizontal & vertical lines that appear on a spreadsheet or graph to assist users organize data or elements. In simple words, these gridlines are vital and used to distinguish cells on an Excel worksheet.
Benefits of Removing Gridlines
Removing the gridlines in Excel offers numerous benefits, including:
- Enhance the visual clarity even charts appear cleaner.
- Gridline-free charts are visually appealing and appropriate for presentations & reports.
How to Remove Gridlines in Excel Chart?
Follow the below step-by-step methods to remove specific gridlines in Excel chart & enhance the focus on data points.
Method 1- Use the Delete Option
The very first way that you can try is to use the delete option. To do so, follow the below steps:
- Select the gridlines then right-click & choose “Delete” option from a context menu.
- Instead, choose ‘Vertical Axis Major Gridlines’ to remove vertical gridlines >> press the keyboard Delete key.
- If you want to delete horizontal lines, then choose ‘Horizontal Axis Major Gridlines’ & press the keyboard Delete key.
- The gridlines will now disappear from the worksheet chart successfully.
Method 2- How to Remove Gridlines in Excel Chart Using ‘Format Gridlines’ Feature?
By correcting the formatting settings of the chart elements within Excel, you can selectively hide gridlines.
Simply follow the below instructions carefully for how to remove gridlines from chart in Excel with the Format Gridlines option:
- First of all, right-tap on one of the Excel gridlines & leave the first gridline.
- Select “Format Gridlines” & check a “No line” option.
- If you want to make the gridlines appear again, then open the overhead dialog box & analyze other features in the group of Line Color.
Please Note– You cannot use this technique in the Microsoft Excel 2007 version.
Method 3- With the Help of Chart Element
Another effective way that can help you remove gridlines in Excel charts or graphs is using chart elements. For this, you have to apply the below steps carefully:
- Firstly, click on a Graph & go to the ‘Chart Design’ option in the ribbon.
- After this, select Add Chart Element feature to expand the dropdown menu & choose Gridlines option from the list.
- Next, select ‘Primary Major Vertical’ or ‘Primary Minor Horizontal’ option as per your need.
- Now, you have to uncheck the gridlines field box.
That’s it!
Method 4- Use Visual Basic (VBA)
Oftentimes, Excel users fail to solve certain problems with basic resolutions. That’s why users tend to prefer or use VBA code or macro to get their job done. Here, you can also run VBA code to remove gridline in Excel chart.
Here are the complete steps that you need to follow:
- In an opened Excel sheet in which you want to remove gridlines, go to ‘Developer’ tab.
- Next, click on a Visual Basic selection from a Code menu. This will launch Visual Basic Editor.
Alternatively, you can press the ALT + F11 keys together to launch Visual Basic Editor.
- After that, right-tap on the sheet & open View Code feature for opening Visual Basic Editor.
- Under the opened window, type the code.
- Then, click on the Module from an Insert dropdown menu.
- Now, you’ll get a Module in a workbook.
- Finally, copy & paste the below VBA code:
Sub Remove_Gridlines()
Dim a As Axes
Dim wsht As Worksheet
Dim ChtObj As ChartObject
For Each wsht In Worksheets
wsht.Activate
For Each ChtObj In wsht.ChartObjects
With ChtObj.Chart
For Each a In ChtObj.Chart
.Axes.HasMajorGridlines = False
.Axes.HasMinorGridlines = False
Next a
End With
Next ChtObj
Next wsht
End Sub
All you need to do is click on a RubSub button in order to run the code. You can even press F5.
Also Read: Quick Fix Guide: MS Excel Not Printing Gridlines Exposed!
Related FAQs:
Grid lines are used to cross the chart plot to display axis divisions.
Yes, gridlines can be easily turned ON and OFF in an Excel spreadsheet.
Removing the grid lines improves the readability of the chart by rejecting distractions & focusing attention on the data.
You can use ‘ALT+W+VG’ shortcut keys to show/hide the gridlines.
Gridlines assist in aligning data points & understanding the scale of the chart.
Pie chart does not have gridlines. What Is the Use of Gridlines in A Chart in Excel?
Can Gridlines Be Turned Off?
Does Removing Grid Lines Affect the Readability of The Chart?
What Is the Shortcut to Remove Gridlines in Excel?
Why Are Gridlines Important in Excel Charts?
Which Chart Does Not Have Gridlines?
Final Thoughts
So, this is all about how to remove gridlines from chart in Excel spreadsheet. Simply follow the methods outlined in this blog to remove these grid lines and convey your message without unnecessary distractions.
I hope you enjoyed reading this post!
Priyanka Sahu
Priyanka is a content marketing expert. She writes tech blogs and has expertise in MS Office, Excel, and other tech subjects. Her distinctive art of presenting tech information in the easy-to-understand language is very impressive. When not writing, she loves unplanned travels.