Excel Shortcut for Borders: How to Quickly Add Borders to Your Spreadsheet

Understanding Excel Borders

Borders are an essential part of any spreadsheet, and Excel provides several options for customizing them. Borders are used to highlight specific cells, separate data, and add structure to a worksheet. Excel allows you to add borders to individual cells or groups of cells, and you can choose from a variety of border styles, colors, and thicknesses.

To apply borders to cells in Excel, you can use the Format Cells dialog box or take advantage of several keyboard shortcuts. The Format Cells dialog box allows you to customize borders in detail, while keyboard shortcuts offer a quick way to apply standard border styles.

Here are some useful Excel shortcuts for applying borders:

• Ctrl + Shift + _ (underscore) – removes borders from selected cells
• Ctrl + Shift + | (vertical bar) – applies a border to the selected cells’ left side
• Ctrl + Shift + \ (backslash) – applies a border to the selected cells’ right side
• Ctrl + Shift + ~ (tilde) – applies a border to the selected cells’ top side
• Ctrl + Shift + – (hyphen) – applies a border to the selected cells’ bottom side

You can also use the Ribbon to apply borders to cells. The Borders button is located in the Font group on the Home tab. Clicking on the Borders button will open a dropdown menu with several border options.

Excel also provides several border styles that you can apply to your cells. These styles are available in the Format Cells dialog box and the Borders dropdown menu. Some of the common border styles include thick, thin, double, and dotted.

Borders can be applied to specific cell ranges, and you can also customize the border color and thickness. Excel also allows you to add diagonal borders, which can be useful for highlighting data in a specific pattern.

In summary, Excel provides several options for customizing borders in a worksheet. You can use keyboard shortcuts, the Ribbon, or the Format Cells dialog box to apply borders to your cells. Borders can be customized in detail, and you can choose from a variety of styles, colors, and thicknesses. Adding borders to your worksheet can help you organize your data and make it easier to read and understand.

Shortcut	Description
Ctrl + Shift + _	Removes borders from selected cells
Ctrl + Shift + |	Applies a border to the selected cells’ left side
Ctrl + Shift + \	Applies a border to the selected cells’ right side
Ctrl + Shift + ~	Applies a border to the selected cells’ top side
Ctrl + Shift + –	Applies a border to the selected cells’ bottom side

Basic Excel Shortcut for Borders

If you’re working with Excel, you know how important it is to keep your data organized and visually appealing. One way to do that is by adding borders to your cells. Here are some basic Excel shortcuts for adding and removing borders that can save you time and make your work look more professional.

To apply borders to your cells, start by selecting the cells you want to apply borders to. Then, use the following keyboard shortcuts:

Shortcut	Action
Ctrl+Shift+&	Add a border around the selected cells
Ctrl+Shift+_	Remove a border from the selected cells

You can also use the Alt key to access the Ribbon and apply borders. Here are the steps:

1. Press Alt+H to open the Home tab.
2. Press B to select the Borders dropdown menu.
3. Press A for the All Borders option or use the directional arrows to select a different border option.

You can also use the following shortcuts to apply specific borders:

Shortcut	Action
Alt+H, B, T	Add a top border
Alt+H, B, B	Add a bottom border
Alt+H, B, L	Add a left border
Alt+H, B, R	Add a right border

To remove a specific border, use the same shortcut again.

Remember, these shortcuts work on both Windows and Mac versions of Excel. By using these shortcuts, you can save time and make your work look more professional.

Advanced Border Shortcuts

If you frequently work with Excel, you probably know how important it is to make your data look presentable. Adding borders to your cells can help you achieve this goal. In this section, we will explore some advanced border shortcuts that will help you add borders to your cells quickly and easily.

All Borders

If you want to add borders to all sides of your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + & (ampersand)
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + 7

Top Border

To add a border to the top of your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, T
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + ↑

Bottom Border

To add a border to the bottom of your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, B
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + ↓

Right Border

To add a border to the right of your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, R
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + →

Left Border

To add a border to the left of your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, L
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + ←

Outline Border

To add an outline border to your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + & (ampersand)
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + 0

Remove All Borders

To remove all borders from your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + _ (underscore)
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + –

More Borders

If you want to add more borders to your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, M
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + Shift + T

This will bring up the Format Cells dialog box, where you can choose from a variety of border styles.

Double Borders

If you want to add a double border to your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, D
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + Shift + D

Diagonal Border

If you want to add a diagonal border to your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, A
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + Shift + / (forward slash)

Box Border

If you want to add a box border to your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, X
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + Shift + B

Custom Border

If you want to add a custom border to your cell, you can use the following shortcut:

• PC Shortcut: Alt + H, B, R
• Mac Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + Shift + K

This will bring up the Format Cells dialog box, where you can choose a custom border style.

Table

Shortcut	Function
Ctrl + Shift + & (ampersand)	Add outline border
⌘ + ⌥ + 7	Add all borders
Alt + H, B, T	Add top border
⌘ + ⌥ + ↑	Add top border
Alt + H, B, B	Add bottom border
⌘ + ⌥ + ↓	Add bottom border
Alt + H, B, R	Add right border
⌘ + ⌥ + →	Add right border
Alt + H, B, L	Add left border
⌘ + ⌥ + ←	Add left border
Ctrl + Shift + _ (underscore)	Remove all borders
⌘ + ⌥ + –	Remove all borders
Alt + H, B, M	Add more borders
⌘ + ⌥ + Shift + T	Add more borders
Alt + H, B, D	Add double borders
⌘ + ⌥ + Shift + D	Add double borders
Alt + H, B, A	Add diagonal border
⌘ + ⌥ + Shift + / (forward slash)	Add diagonal border
Alt + H, B, X	Add box border
⌘ +

Formatting Cells Using Shortcuts

When working with Excel, formatting cells is an essential part of creating a professional-looking spreadsheet. Excel provides many formatting options, including cell borders, which can be used to separate cells and make them easier to read. In this section, we will explore how to format cells using shortcuts.

To format cells using shortcuts, you need to open the Format Cells dialog box. There are several ways to open this dialog box, but one of the quickest is to use the Ctrl + 1 keyboard shortcut. Once you have opened the dialog box, you can use the various tabs to format your cells, including the Border tab.

The Border tab allows you to add or remove cell borders, change border styles, line styles, and line widths. You can also change the color of your cell borders and fill color. To apply a border, select the cells you want to format and then choose the border style you want to apply.

Shortcut Keys for Cell Borders

Excel provides several shortcut keys for adding or removing cell borders. Here are some of the most commonly used shortcut keys:

Shortcut Key	Action
Alt + H, B, T	Add or remove top border
Alt + H, B, B	Add or remove bottom border
Alt + H, B, L	Add or remove left border
Alt + H, B, R	Add or remove right border
Alt + H, B, A	Add or remove all borders

Shortcut Keys for Border Styles

Excel also provides shortcut keys for changing border styles. Here are some of the most commonly used shortcut keys:

Shortcut Key	Action
Alt + H, B, S	Open the Styles group
Alt + H, B, D	Apply a thick border
Alt + H, B, H	Apply a thin horizontal border
Alt + H, B, V	Apply a thin vertical border
Alt + H, B, X	Apply a diagonal border

Shortcut Keys for Cell Styles

Excel provides several shortcut keys for applying cell styles. Here are some of the most commonly used shortcut keys:

Shortcut Key	Action
Ctrl + 1	Open the Format Cells dialog box
Ctrl + Shift + ~	Apply the General cell style
Ctrl + Shift + $	Apply the Currency cell style
Ctrl + Shift + %	Apply the Percentage cell style
Ctrl + Shift + ^	Apply the Exponential cell style
Ctrl + Shift + #	Apply the Date cell style
Ctrl + Shift + @	Apply the Time cell style

By using these shortcut keys, you can quickly format cells in Excel without having to navigate through multiple menus. This can save you time and make your spreadsheet creation process more efficient.

Navigating the Excel Interface

When working with Excel, it is important to know how to navigate the interface efficiently. This can help you save time and increase productivity. Here are some tips for navigating the Excel interface:

Ribbon and Ribbon Shortcuts

The Ribbon is the main toolbar in Excel that contains all the commands and options for working with your spreadsheets. You can navigate the Ribbon using your mouse or by using Ribbon shortcuts. Ribbon shortcuts are keyboard shortcuts that allow you to quickly access commands on the Ribbon.

To use Ribbon shortcuts, press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard. This will display key tips on the Ribbon. Press the corresponding key for the command you want to use. For example, to access the Home tab, press H. To access the Data tab, press A.

Home Tab

The Home tab is where you’ll find the most commonly used commands for formatting and editing your spreadsheet. Here are some of the key commands on the Home tab:

• Font: Change the font type, size, and color.
• Alignment: Align text, merge cells, and rotate text.
• Number: Change the number format, add decimal places, and apply currency symbols.
• Styles: Apply cell styles, such as headings and data tables.

Data Tab

The Data tab is where you’ll find commands for working with data in your spreadsheet. Here are some of the key commands on the Data tab:

• Sort & Filter: Sort data, filter data, and remove duplicates.
• Data Tools: Convert text to columns, remove duplicates, and consolidate data.
• What-If Analysis: Use scenarios, goal seek, and data tables to analyze data.

Context Menu

The context menu is a menu that appears when you right-click on a cell, range of cells, or object in Excel. It contains commands that are relevant to the selected item. Here are some of the key commands on the context menu:

• Cut, Copy, and Paste: Cut, copy, and paste data.
• Insert and Delete: Insert or delete cells, rows, or columns.
• Format Cells: Change the format of cells, including number format, font, and alignment.

Table

Here is a table summarizing some of the key navigation commands in Excel:

Command	Shortcut
Access Ribbon	Alt
Access Home Tab	H
Access Data Tab	A
Cut	Ctrl + X
Copy	Ctrl + C
Paste	Ctrl + V
Insert Row	Ctrl + Shift + +
Delete Row	Ctrl + –
Format Cells	Ctrl + 1

By mastering these navigation tips, you can become more efficient and productive when working with Excel.

Additional Excel Border Options

In addition to the basic border options, Excel offers a range of advanced border options that can help you customize the look of your worksheets. Here are some of the additional border options you can use in Excel:

Draw Borders

The Draw Borders option in Excel allows you to draw your own custom borders around cells or ranges of cells. To use this feature, simply select the cells you want to apply borders to, go to the Home tab, click on the Borders dropdown, and select Draw Borders. From there, you can select the line color and style, and then use your mouse to draw the border around the cells.

No Border

If you want to remove a border from a cell or range of cells, simply select the cells, go to the Home tab, click on the Borders dropdown, and select No Border. This will remove the border from the selected cells.

Erase Border

If you want to remove a specific border from a cell or range of cells, use the Erase Border option. To do this, select the cells you want to remove the border from, go to the Home tab, click on the Borders dropdown, and select Erase Border. Then, use your mouse to select the border you want to remove.

Gridlines

Gridlines are the thin lines that appear between cells in a worksheet. By default, Excel displays gridlines on the worksheet, but you can turn them off if you prefer. To turn off gridlines, go to the View tab, click on the Gridlines checkbox, and uncheck it.

Line Color

Excel allows you to change the color of the borders you apply to cells. To change the line color, select the cells you want to apply the border to, go to the Home tab, click on the Borders dropdown, and select the Line Color option. From there, you can choose the color you want to use.

Border Options Table

Here is a table summarizing the different border options available in Excel:

Border Option	Description
Draw Borders	Allows you to draw your own custom borders
No Border	Removes the border from selected cells
Erase Border	Removes a specific border from selected cells
Gridlines	Thin lines that appear between cells in a worksheet
Line Color	Allows you to change the color of the borders

In conclusion, Excel offers a range of advanced border options that can help you customize the look of your worksheets. Whether you want to draw your own custom borders, remove borders, or change the line color, Excel has you covered.

Applying and Removing Borders

Borders are an essential feature of any Excel spreadsheet. They help to organize and structure data, making it easier to read and understand. Applying and removing borders in Excel can be time-consuming if done manually. Luckily, there are several keyboard shortcuts available to make the process faster and more efficient.

Applying Borders

To apply a border to a selected range of cells in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Select the cells you want to apply the border to.
2. Press the “Ctrl+Shift+&” keys simultaneously.
3. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to select the type of border you want to apply.

Alternatively, you can use the Ribbon to apply borders. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the cells you want to apply the border to.
2. Click on the “Home” tab in the Ribbon.
3. Click on the “Borders” button.
4. Select the type of border you want to apply.

Removing Borders

To remove all borders from a selection of cells in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Select the cells you want to remove the borders from.
2. Press the “Ctrl+Shift+-” keys simultaneously.

Alternatively, you can use the Ribbon to remove borders. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the cells you want to remove the borders from.
2. Click on the “Home” tab in the Ribbon.
3. Click on the “Borders” button.
4. Click on the “No Border” option.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Applying and Removing Borders

The following table summarizes the keyboard shortcuts for applying and removing borders in Excel:

Action	Shortcut
Apply border to selected range of cells	Ctrl+Shift+&
Remove all borders from selection	Ctrl+Shift+-

Using keyboard shortcuts can save time and increase efficiency when working with borders in Excel. By following these simple steps, you can apply and remove borders quickly and easily, making your spreadsheets more organized and easier to read.

Special Excel Border Features

In addition to the basic border shortcuts, Microsoft Excel offers some special features that can help you further customize your borders.

Paste Special

If you want to copy and paste cells with borders, you can use the “Paste Special” feature to preserve the borders. To do this, select the cells you want to copy, right-click and select “Copy,” then right-click where you want to paste and select “Paste Special.” In the “Paste Special” window, select “Formats” and click “OK.” This will paste the cells with their borders intact.

Conditional Formatting

Excel’s “Conditional Formatting” feature allows you to automatically apply borders to cells based on certain conditions. For example, you can set up a rule that applies a red border to cells with values below a certain threshold. To do this, select the cells you want to apply the rule to, go to the “Home” tab, click “Conditional Formatting,” and select “New Rule.” From there, you can set up the rule and choose the border style you want to apply.

Print Preview and Printed Pages

When you’re preparing a spreadsheet for printing, you may want to adjust the borders to ensure that they appear correctly on the printed page. Excel’s “Print Preview” feature allows you to see how your spreadsheet will look when printed, and you can adjust the borders accordingly. You can also adjust the page breaks and margins to ensure that the borders are not cut off.

Microsoft 365

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can take advantage of additional border styles and formatting options. For example, you can add gradient borders or use different border styles for different sides of a cell. To access these options, select the cells you want to format, go to the “Home” tab, and click the “Borders” dropdown. From there, you can select “More Borders” to access the additional options.

Table

Feature	Description
Paste Special	Preserve borders when copying and pasting cells
Conditional Formatting	Automatically apply borders based on conditions
Print Preview and Printed Pages	Adjust borders for printing
Microsoft 365	Additional border styles and formatting options

Tips and Tricks for Excel Border Shortcuts

Excel border shortcuts can be a real time-saver when you need to add borders to your data. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the most of these shortcuts:

Use Quick Keyboard Shortcuts

Using keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time when adding borders to your data. Some of the most common shortcuts are:

• Ctrl + Shift + & to apply an outline border to selected cells
• Ctrl + Shift + _ to remove an outline border from selected cells
• Alt + R, L, T, or B to toggle right, left, top, or bottom borders, respectively

Utilize Alt and Option Keys

The Alt and Option keys can help you navigate Excel’s ribbon and menus even faster. For example, you can press Alt + H to access the Home tab and then press B to access the Borders menu. From there, you can use the arrow keys to select the type of border you want to apply.

Use Shift to Accent or Stand Out

You can use the Shift key to accent or stand out certain cells in your data. For example, you can select a cell and then press Ctrl + Shift + ! to apply the default number format, which will accentuate the cell’s value.

Use Detailed Mode and Preview Area

Excel’s detailed mode and preview area can help you fine-tune your borders. To access detailed mode, right-click on a cell and select “Format Cells.” From there, you can select the “Border” tab and adjust the border style, color, and thickness. The preview area will show you what your borders will look like before you apply them.

Table

Here’s a table summarizing some of the most useful Excel border shortcuts:

Shortcut	Function
Ctrl + Shift + &	Apply outline border to selected cells
Ctrl + Shift + _	Remove outline border from selected cells
Alt + R, L, T, or B	Toggle right, left, top, or bottom borders, respectively
Ctrl + Shift + ~	Apply General number format to selected cells
Ctrl + Shift + $	Apply Currency format to selected cells

By using these tips and tricks, you can become a master of Excel border shortcuts and save yourself a lot of time and hassle when working with data.