Excel does not show gridline by default

Question

Exact the same problem: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/excel-gridlines-will-not-show-by-default/59f1de65-46f6-4b37-8f5a-8f88ea8079f6

Microsoft® Excel® 2019 MSO (16.0.14326.20164) 64 bit

Tried everything.

• Create a new workbook: does not show gridline by default.
• Turn on Gridline on on gridlines under View ribbon - gridline shows
  • then create a new sheet: no gridline.
• Turn on Show Gridlines in Option - Advanced Option: gridline shows
  • then create a new sheet: no gridline.
  • create a new workbook: no gridline.
• no template files (or any files) in any of my custom office template folders or XLSTART folders
  • create a template file with gridline and put it in XLSTART folder: gridline shows, but no gridline when create a new sheet.
• Repair installation: same as above, no gridline.
• Completely remove and reinstall: same as above, no gridline.
• Use SetupProd_OffScrub.exe to completely remove and reinstall: same as above, no gridline.

The only way to show default gridline is safemode (excel /safe), but safemode does not save any settings.

How can I save the "Show Gridlines" option?

How can I completely restore the default settings of Excel?

Answer 1

There may be a registry key for this, but I don't know it.

Instead: Try making a default workbook and worksheet. Create a workbook with gridlines turned on.

Then follow Microsoft's instructions for saving this as a workbook (Book) and worksheet (Sheet):

"You can save workbook settings that you frequently use in a workbook template, and then automatically open that workbook template every time that you create a new workbook.

1. Do one of the following:
   • To use a workbook template, create a workbook that contains the sheets, default text (such as page headers and column and row labels), formulas, macros, styles, and other formatting that you want to use in new workbooks that will be based on the workbook template.
   • To use a worksheet template, create a workbook that contains one worksheet. On the worksheet, include the formatting, styles, text, and other information that you want to appear on all new worksheets that will be based on the worksheet template. Settings that you can save in a workbook or worksheet template
     • Cell and sheet formats.
     • Page formats and print area settings for each sheet.
     • Cell styles.
     • The number and type of sheets in a workbook.
     • Protected and hidden areas of the workbook. You can hide sheets, rows, and columns and prevent changes to worksheet cells.
     • Text you want to repeat, such as page headers and row and column labels.
     • Data, graphics, formulas, charts, and other information.
     • Data validation settings.
     • Macros, hyperlinks, and ActiveX controls on forms.
     • Workbook calculation options and window view options.
2. Click File > Save As.
3. In the Save as type box, click Template.
4. In the Save in box, select the folder where you want to store the template.
   • To create the default workbook template or default worksheet template, select either the XLStart folder or the alternate startup folder. To find out the path of the startup folder, see Locate the XLStart folder.
5. In the File name box, do one of the following:
   • To create the default workbook template, type Book.
   • To create the default worksheet template, type Sheet.
6. Click Save.
7. Click File > Close."

Answer 2

Thanks. The template partially solved the problem.

I put both a Book.xltx and a Sheet.xltx in the XLSTART folder, now:

• When creating a new workbook, the default Sheet1 does not show gridline. （Also, the Book.xltx has two sheets, but the new workbook only has one.)
• In this workbook, when creating a new sheet, gridline shows.

Before I put the two xltx in XLSTART, I tried right click in a folder and "New → Microsoft Excel Worksheet", and the sheet1 of the new empty file shows gridline, but any new sheets don't. SHELLNEW\EXCEL12.XLSX does show gridline. Now new sheets show gridline, so the Sheet.xltx works but Book.xltx doesn't.

It seems that there is another superpower workbook template with higher priority that suppresses any other templates...

Answer 3

Hi,

1. You need to display the gridlines in the Book.xltx and Sheet.xltx files before you save them.
2. You do not "open" Book.xltx or Sheet.xltx. When you want a new workbook you use the File, New command or press Ctrl+N. For a new sheet you just add a sheet by clicking the New Sheet button (+) at the bottom of the screen or press Shift+F11.
3. If you like your new workbooks to open with more than one sheet, set Book.xltx up with more than one sheet and turn on gridlines for all of them.
4. When you want to update Book or Sheet remember to save them as a "template" file in xlStart.

Are you on a network?

Answer 4

Thank you. Your solution is the most acceptable one at the moment.

1. You need to display the gridlines in the Book.xltx and Sheet.xltx files before you save them.

-- I did.

2. You do not "open" Book.xltx or Sheet.xltx. When you want a new workbook you use the File, New command or press Ctrl+N. For a new sheet you just add a sheet by clicking the New Sheet button (+) at the bottom of the screen or press Shift+F11.

-- Although my Book.xltx has two sheets and both show gridline, any new workbook created by Excel New command or Ctrl+N only has one sheet without gridline. Newly created sheet then shows the gridline, which matches my Sheet.xltx.

3. If you like your new workbooks to open with more than one sheet, set Book.xltx up with more than one sheet and turn on gridlines for all of them.

-- I did put two sheets in Book.xltx but Excel does not comply.

I am not on a network. It's a standalone laptop with pre-installed Windows 10 and Office 2019 Home.

Answer 5

I'm having this exact same issue, still no solution it seems. Re-installing the software didn't help.