individual solid lines in excel

Question

I am trying to create an equipment check list in excel to print off. What I am looking to do is create is have a column with different pieces of equipment, followed by three columns of separate solid lines that looks like this.

Equipment     Instructor recommended     Issued     Returned

tent                ________                            _____      _____

bag                ________                            _____      _____

coat               ________                            _____      _____   

All I have been able to do is create a continuous bottom border that links each cell.

I don't want to have to type an underscore in a cell and copy it to each cell I want a line in.  How can I achieve this

Answer 1

Maybe you could insert narrow columns (empty) between the current columns, and then use borders for the columns where you want lines.

Answer 2

A key question that nobody has asked: Is your intent to have this "check list" completed on screen, or do you intend to print form documents on paper to be filled in by hand?

Especially if the latter, Excel isn't the best choice. Design the form in Word where you have more possibilities for formatting Tables as well as the availability of Tab Stops with underscore leaders, and numerous other form design advantages. IOW, you not only can do it more easily, you have a number of alternatives from which to choose.

Answer 3

Shoot Mike, You beat me to it! I'll just add detailed instructions.

1. First Go to Excel menu Preferences.

2. Now insert your titles at top of every fourth column. 3. Also create Border for all 4 sides of the cells in which the first column that has a title. 4. Skip the second column entirely. 5. On third column, create only a bottom line, of the border. 6. Repeat as needed. 7. Now adjust width of each column that has no grids, or borders, to desired width.

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