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All Border Shortcut in Excel

ExcelExcelTables and printingChecked 2 Nov 2026

All borders

AltHB

Then A, pressed one after another

Outline border

CtrlShift7

Remove borders

CtrlShiftMinus

The all border shortcut in Excel is Alt, H, B, A, pressed one after another. Select a table and press the sequence: every cell gets a thin line on all four sides, which makes printed sheets far easier to read.

Two true shortcuts also exist. Ctrl + Shift + 7 (the ampersand key) draws an outline around the selection only, and Ctrl + Shift + Minus removes all borders from it.

Quick facts

  • All borders

    Alt, then H, then B, then A

  • Outline only

    Ctrl + Shift + 7

  • Remove borders

    Ctrl + Shift + Minus

  • Thick box

    Alt, then H, then B, then T

  • Bottom border

    Alt, then H, then B, then O

  • More options

    Ctrl + 1, Border tab

All border shortcut in Excel and other border keys

Border keys in Excel for Windows
BorderKeys
All bordersAlt, then H, then B, then A
Outside bordersCtrl + Shift + 7
Thick outside borderAlt, then H, then B, then T
Bottom borderAlt, then H, then B, then O
Top borderAlt, then H, then B, then P
No borderCtrl + Shift + Minus
Border tab with line stylesCtrl + 1, then the Border tab

After Alt, H, B, the border menu shows its own letters. Watch them for options such as double bottom border.

How to add all borders to a table

  1. Click inside the table and press Ctrl + A to select it.
  2. Press Alt, then H, then B, then A.
  3. Every cell now has thin black lines.
  4. Optionally press Alt, H, B, T to add a thick outline around the whole table.

To give another table the same borders, select it and press F4 to repeat the last border command.

Gridlines are not borders

The faint grey grid you see while working does not print by default. If a printed sheet looks like loose numbers with no lines, add borders, or tick Print gridlines under Page Layout, then Sheet Options. Borders give more control, such as thicker lines under headings and totals. The print preview shortcut lets you check before printing.

For a clean on screen look, hide gridlines with View, then untick Gridlines, and keep borders only where they help.

Format a table with one key instead

Ctrl + T turns data into an Excel table with banded rows, header styling and filters. Many people find that clearer than borders on every cell, and it updates automatically as rows are added. Choose a style from Table Design. Borders are still the better choice for forms, bills and printed registers.

When border shortcuts do not work

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
Ctrl + Shift + 7 does nothingUse the 7 on the top row, not the number pad
Ctrl + Shift + Minus changes languageWindows uses Ctrl + Shift for languages; change the hot key or use the ribbon
Borders missing in printLine colour is white or very light; set it in the Border tab
Some inner lines missingUse All borders, not Outside borders
A school clerk prepares a fee register to print. She selects the data, presses Alt, H, B, A for all borders and Alt, H, B, T for a thick outline, and the printout looks like a ruled register.

Borders on a Mac

Mac Excel shows no ribbon letters, so reach borders through the Borders button beside the font settings, or the Border tab in Format Cells. Shading cells is explained in fill colour shortcut, centred titles across columns in merge cells, and the remaining spreadsheet keys in our master Excel list.

This site is not affiliated with Microsoft or Apple; this is an independent explanation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the all border shortcut in Excel?
Alt, H, B, A.
What is the outline border shortcut?
Ctrl + Shift + 7.
How do I remove borders in Excel?
Ctrl + Shift + Minus.
Why don't gridlines print?

Gridlines are for the screen. Add borders or tick Print gridlines.

How do I add a thick border around a table?
Alt, H, B, T.
Is there a border shortcut in Excel for Mac?

Use the Borders button or Command + 1.