When creating a new table in MS Word, you can specify the number of rows and columns that the table must contain. But the table that appears has internal and external lines or borders. Borders make it easy to enter data in the cells. But you may want to print or display the table without some or any border showing up.
Word has many options that allow customizing the appearance of your table. You can change the styling of the borders. One of the styles includes suppressing the display of borders.
Removing the table borders or lines in MS Word does not disturb the data or the layout of the data. You only remove the lines that identify the rows and columns.
2 ways to remove table lines in MS Word
- Using the Borders Menu
- Using the Borders and Shading Dialog Box
We will show you in steps how to remove the table lines in your MS Word document.
Let us begin.
Method #1: Using the Borders Menu
Step #1: Open Word document.
Open the Word document that has a table with borders.
Step #2: Select the entire table
Hover the mouse pointer over the table.
A square icon appears in the top left-hand corner of the table.
Click on the square icon to select the entire table.
Step #3: Remove table lines
Click on the Design tab under Table Tools on the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Borders, click on the icon Borders.
A new menu will open.
Hover the mouse pointer on the appropriate button in the menu to:
- Remove the Bottom Border only
- Remove the Top Border only
- Remove the Left Border only
- Remove the Right Border only
- To show No Borders
- Remove All Borders
- Remove Outside Borders only
- Remove Inside Borders only
- Remove Inside Horizontal Borders only
- Remove Inside Vertical Borders only
Click on the one suitable for your table.
For instance, click on All Borders to remove all lines.
Method #2: Using the Borders and Shading Dialog Box
Step #1: Open Word document.
Open the Word document that has a table with borders.
Step #2: Select the entire table
Hover the mouse pointer over the table.
A square icon appears in the top left-hand corner of the table.
Click on the square icon to select the entire table.
Step #3: Remove table lines
Right-click anywhere inside the table.
In the menu that opens, click on Table Properties.
The Table Properties dialog will open.
Click on the Borders and Shading button.
The Borders and Shading dialog will open.
Under Borders, click on All.
Under Preview on the right-hand side, click and remove the lines you do not want.
Click on OK to exit the dialog.
Word will remove all the lines you have selected.
Conclusion
Use any one of the two methods above to remove table lines in your MS Word document. You can remove all lines or display some of them.