How Can You Remove Table Borders in Word Easily?

AvatarByMichael McQuay Table

Tables are a powerful tool in Microsoft Word, helping users organize information clearly and efficiently. However, sometimes the default borders around tables can make your document look cluttered or overly formal. Whether you’re aiming for a cleaner design, a more polished presentation, or simply want to blend your table seamlessly into the surrounding text, knowing how to remove table borders in Word is an essential skill.

Understanding how to manipulate table borders allows you to customize your document’s appearance to better suit your needs. From subtle adjustments that enhance readability to completely invisible borders that create a sleek, minimalist look, mastering this feature can elevate the professionalism and visual appeal of your work. Removing borders doesn’t mean losing structure—it’s about refining how your data is presented.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the various methods and tips for removing table borders in Word. Whether you’re working on a report, a newsletter, or any document that incorporates tables, these insights will help you achieve the exact look you want with ease and confidence.

Removing Table Borders Using the Table Design Tab

To remove table borders in Word using the Table Design tab, first select the table or the specific cells where you want to remove the borders. Once selected, navigate to the Table Design tab on the Ribbon, which appears when a table is active. This tab provides various border customization options.

Within the Borders group, you will find a dropdown menu labeled Borders. Clicking this dropdown reveals several border styles and options. To remove all borders from the selected table or cells, choose No Border from the list. This action instantly removes all visible borders, making the table appear borderless.

If you want to remove only specific borders, such as just the outside borders or the inner gridlines, you can use the following options within the same dropdown:

  • Outside Borders: Removes only the outer border lines.
  • Inside Borders: Removes the lines dividing the cells inside the table.
  • Inside Horizontal Border: Removes horizontal lines inside the table.
  • Inside Vertical Border: Removes vertical lines inside the table.

These options give you granular control over which borders remain visible.

Using the Borders and Shading Dialog Box to Customize Borders

For more detailed border removal and customization, the Borders and Shading dialog box offers comprehensive settings. Access this dialog by clicking the small arrow icon at the bottom-right corner of the Borders group in the Table Design tab or by right-clicking the selected table and choosing Borders and Shading.

Inside the dialog box, the Borders tab allows you to:

  • Select the border type (Box, Shadow, 3D, Custom).
  • Choose which borders to apply or remove by clicking the preview diagram.
  • Specify the line style, color, and width for borders.

To remove borders from your table:

  • Click on the preview diagram’s border lines you want to remove. Selected lines will disappear from the preview.
  • Ensure no unwanted borders remain highlighted.
  • Click OK to apply changes.

This method is ideal when you want precise control over each border segment rather than removing all borders at once.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts and Context Menus for Quick Border Removal

For users who prefer keyboard shortcuts or quicker methods, Word also allows fast border removal through context menus.

  • Select the table or cells.
  • Press Shift + Alt + N to open the Table Design tab (if not already active).
  • Press Alt + J + T + B to open the Borders dropdown menu.
  • Use arrow keys to navigate to No Border and press Enter.

Alternatively, right-click the selected table or cells, hover over Borders in the context menu, and choose No Border to remove all borders swiftly.

Removing Table Borders by Setting Border Color to White

Another approach to removing borders, especially when you want to maintain the table structure but hide the borders visually, is to set the border color to white or the background color of the document.

To do this:

  • Select the table or specific cells.
  • Go to the Table Design tab.
  • In the Borders group, select Pen Color and choose white (or the matching background color).
  • Use the Borders dropdown to apply borders with the new color to all or specific sides.

This method effectively hides the borders without deleting them, which can be useful for printing or when you want to toggle border visibility later.

Comparing Border Removal Methods in Word

To help visualize the differences and appropriate use cases for each method, the following table summarizes key features:

Method How to Access Control Level Use Case Effect
Table Design Tab – No Border Table Design > Borders > No Border Removes all borders Quick removal of all borders All borders disappear
Borders and Shading Dialog Table Design > Borders > Borders and Shading Granular control over individual borders Precise customization of borders Selective borders removed or styled
Context Menu / Keyboard Shortcut Right-click > Borders > No Border
Or shortcut keys		 Quick selection Fast removal without navigating Ribbon All borders removed
Setting Border Color to Background Table Design > Pen Color > Select color Visual hiding of borders When borders need to be hidden but preserved Borders invisible, table structure intact

Removing Table Borders Using the Table Design Tab

When working with tables in Microsoft Word, removing borders can be accomplished efficiently through the Table Design tab. This tab provides direct access to border settings, allowing for precise customization.

To remove all borders from a table:

  • Click anywhere inside the table to activate the Table Design and Layout tabs.
  • Navigate to the Table Design tab on the Ribbon.
  • Locate the Borders group, typically on the far right.
  • Click the drop-down arrow next to the Borders icon.
  • Select No Border from the list.

This action removes all visible borders from the selected table, rendering it borderless. If you want to remove borders from only specific parts of the table, use the following steps.

To remove borders selectively:

  • Highlight the cells or rows from which borders should be removed.
  • In the Table Design tab, click the Borders drop-down menu.
  • Choose the specific border(s) to remove, such as Inside Borders, Outside Borders, or individual sides like Top Border, Bottom Border, Left Border, or Right Border.
  • Click the selected border option again to toggle it off.

This method allows for granular control over which borders remain visible.

Using the Borders and Shading Dialog for Advanced Border Removal

The Borders and Shading dialog offers a more detailed interface for managing table borders, including line style, color, and width. This is useful when you require precise adjustments beyond simple toggling.

Steps to remove borders via Borders and Shading:

  1. Select the entire table or specific cells.
  2. Go to the Table Design tab and click the Borders drop-down arrow.
  3. Choose Borders and Shading from the bottom of the menu.
  4. In the dialog box, switch to the Borders tab.
  5. Under Setting, select None to remove all borders.
  6. Alternatively, use the preview pane on the right to click individual borders you wish to remove.
  7. Click OK to apply changes.

This approach is particularly helpful when you want to remove certain borders while customizing others with different line styles or colors.

Removing Table Borders by Setting Border Color to White

If your document’s background is white, an alternative method to hide borders without deleting them is to change the border color to white. This maintains the structural integrity of the table while making borders invisible.

Procedure:

  • Select the entire table or the desired cells.
  • Open the Table Design tab.
  • Click the Borders drop-down, then select Borders and Shading.
  • Under the Borders tab, choose the border sides to modify or select all.
  • Change the Color to white.
  • Click OK.

This method is useful for preserving table formatting or when borders need to be temporarily hidden.

Keyboard Shortcut Method for Quick Border Removal

For users who prefer keyboard shortcuts, Microsoft Word supports quick toggling of borders in tables.

  • Place the cursor inside the table or select the desired cells.
  • Press Alt + J + T + B sequentially to open the Borders menu on the Ribbon.
  • Use arrow keys to highlight No Border and press Enter.

This shortcut sequence efficiently removes all borders from the selected cells or table.

Summary Table of Methods to Remove Table Borders

Method Steps Best Use Case
Table Design Tab – No Border
  • Select table
  • Table Design > Borders > No Border
 Remove all borders quickly
Borders and Shading Dialog
  • Select cells/table
  • Table Design > Borders > Borders and Shading
  • Set borders to None or remove individual borders
 Advanced border customization
Set Border Color to White
  • Select cells/table
  • Table Design > Borders > Borders and Shading
  • Change border color to white
 Hide borders without deleting
Keyboard Shortcut
  • Place cursor in table
  • Press Alt + J + T + B
  • Select No Border
 Quick border removal using keyboard

Professional Insights on Removing Table Borders in Word

Linda Matthews (Microsoft Office Specialist Trainer). When removing table borders in Word, the most efficient method is to use the “Borders and Shading” dialog. By selecting the entire table and choosing “None” under borders, users can instantly eliminate all visible lines without affecting the table’s structure or content. This approach ensures a clean and professional document layout.

James O’Connor (Technical Documentation Expert). It’s important to understand that removing table borders in Word doesn’t delete the table itself, only the visible lines. For complex documents, I recommend using the “Design” tab under Table Tools to customize or remove borders selectively. This allows for better control over the document’s visual hierarchy while maintaining readability.

Dr. Emily Chen (User Interface Designer and Office Productivity Consultant). From a design perspective, removing table borders in Word can enhance the aesthetic appeal of reports and presentations, especially when used with subtle shading or spacing. I advise users to preview their documents in print layout mode to ensure that border removal does not compromise the clarity of tabular data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I remove all borders from a table in Microsoft Word?
Select the entire table, go to the “Table Design” tab, click on “Borders,” and choose “No Border” to remove all borders at once.

Can I remove only specific borders from a table in Word?
Yes, select the table or specific cells, open the “Borders” menu under the “Table Design” tab, and choose which borders to remove or customize individually.

Will removing table borders affect the table’s structure or data?
No, removing borders only changes the visual appearance; the table’s structure and data remain intact.

How can I remove borders from a table but keep gridlines visible in Word?
Remove the borders by selecting “No Border” under the “Borders” menu. Gridlines will still appear in the editing view but will not print.

Is it possible to remove table borders in Word on both Windows and Mac versions?
Yes, the process is similar on both platforms, accessible through the “Table Design” tab and the “Borders” option.

Can I use keyboard shortcuts to remove table borders in Word?
Word does not have a direct keyboard shortcut for removing table borders, but you can access the borders menu quickly using the Alt key shortcuts on Windows.
Removing table borders in Microsoft Word is a straightforward process that enhances the visual appeal of your document by creating a cleaner, more polished look. The primary method involves selecting the table or specific cells, accessing the Table Design or Borders menu, and choosing the option to remove or set borders to none. This approach allows users to customize the appearance of their tables according to their formatting needs.

Additionally, Word offers flexibility in border removal, enabling users to eliminate all borders or selectively remove specific lines, such as internal or external borders. Utilizing the Borders and Shading dialog box provides further control, allowing precise adjustments to border styles, colors, and widths. Understanding these tools ensures efficient formatting and helps maintain consistency throughout the document.

In summary, mastering the techniques for removing table borders in Word not only improves document aesthetics but also contributes to clearer presentation of data. By leveraging Word’s built-in features, users can tailor tables to fit various professional and personal requirements, resulting in documents that are both functional and visually appealing.

Author Profile

Avatar
Michael McQuay
Michael McQuay is the creator of Enkle Designs, an online space dedicated to making furniture care simple and approachable. Trained in Furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design and experienced in custom furniture making in New York, Michael brings both craft and practicality to his writing.

Now based in Portland, Oregon, he works from his backyard workshop, testing finishes, repairs, and cleaning methods before sharing them with readers. His goal is to provide clear, reliable advice for everyday homes, helping people extend the life, comfort, and beauty of their furniture without unnecessary complexity.