How to Draw Separating Lines in Excel

By Kathryn Hatashita-Lee

Excel can insert lines with color and style.
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Microsoft Excel 2010 can insert separator lines to distinguish cells on a worksheet. For example, a separator line between two columns of data may help increase readability. Excel also contains pre-defined border lines that can apply to a range of cells. Customize a separator line to display a theme color and line style, such as a red dotted line to add visual interest to your worksheet data.

Draw a Border Line

Step 1

Open the Excel worksheet.

Step 2

Click the “Home” tab on the command ribbon.

Step 3

Click the arrow next to the “Border” button in the "Font" group to display a list of border styles. To create a custom line, click the “Draw Border” option in the “Draw Borders” section. The pointer converts to a pencil symbol.

Step 4

Click and drag the cursor on the worksheet to start the line.

Step 5

Release the mouse to end the line. Press any key to convert the pencil symbol back to a pointer.

Insert a Pre-Defined Border

Step 1

Open the Excel worksheet.

Step 2

Click and drag on the range of worksheet cells that will contain the new border or line.

Step 3

Click the “Home” tab on the command ribbon.

Step 4

Click the arrow next to the “Border” button in the “Font” group to display a list of border styles.

Step 5

Click the preferred pre-designed border style, such as “Left Border,” “Thick Box Border” or “Top and Double Bottom Border.” The selected cells display the lines.

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