Member Avatar for Dark_Omen

Hello,
I am using word 2003, and I want to print the gridlines that I have on the page. I copied the chart from excel. I can't seem to find where to change it in the print options. Can Anyone help.
Thanks

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Quick summary: Word’s on‑screen “gridlines” are a display aid and do not print. To get visible lines on paper the table needs real borders or the Excel range must be pasted as an image (or as an embedded worksheet that already contains printable borders). ’s tip about Show Gridlines helps for editing, but it won’t produce printed lines; ’s approach—adding borders in Excel before copying—is the simplest reliable fix.

Practical options (exact steps):

  1. Add printable borders in Excel (best for editable tables)

    • In Excel (select the cell range) → Format → Cells → Border tab → choose the inside + outside/“All borders” preset → OK. Copy and paste into Word; the borders will print.

  2. Add borders in Word (if table already pasted)

    • In Word (select the table) → Format → Borders and Shading → Borders tab → pick a style/width and Apply to: Table → OK. Use the preview buttons to add internal lines.

  3. Paste as a picture (best for preserving exact appearance)

    • In Excel copy the range → In Word use Edit → Paste Special → choose a picture format (e.g., Enhanced Metafile). The pasted image prints exactly as shown.

Extra notes and troubleshooting: Excel also has a “Print gridlines” option in Page Setup (Sheet tab) when printing from Excel directly, but that doesn’t affect Word’s nonprinting gridlines. If borders don’t show in print preview, verify color/width (black 0.5–1 pt works) and confirm no white cell shading hides them. A forum reply noted a graph‑paper generator as an alternative background; that can be used when a printed ruled background is acceptable instead of table lines.

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Member Avatar for dlh6213

Try the Table menu (at the top), click Show Gridlines. Maybe that will work.

btw, this would have been better in the Windows Software forum.

Member Avatar for Dark_Omen

Well, this is what I did to solve the problem. Before I copied the data table from excel, I made borders around what I wanted. So when I copied it the problem was solved.

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