How to Draw Separating Lines in Excel
By Kathryn Hatashita-Lee
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.
References
Tips
- Experiment with the color and line style options. Click and drag the cursor on the selected cells. Right-click in this cell range. Click the “Format Cells” to display the “Format Cells” dialog box. Click the “Border” tab. Click the preferred “Style,” “Color” and “Border” options. Click “OK” to close the dialog box.