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jwilson's avatar
jwilson
Copper Contributor
Jan 04, 2025

underline in cells not present after leaving cell

I am trying to insert a header on a page and in the left header cell, insert text and underline.  The text and underline can be inserted and is displayed when the cell is highlighted, but when I leave the cell the text  remains, but the underline disappears.  Printing the document the text is printed, but the underline is not.

The underline is intended to be a "marked" space to write in text on the printed document.

I've tried different methods to apply the underline, but the same issue occurs.  Any suggestions?

excel

2 Replies

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  • SergeiBaklan's avatar
    SergeiBaklan
    MVP
    Jan 18, 2025

    On which Excel platform/version you are? In general it shall work

    if only entire text length is less than 256 characters.

  • NikolinoDE's avatar
    NikolinoDE
    Gold Contributor
    Jan 18, 2025

    This behavior is likely due to how Excel handles cell formatting versus the way it renders formatting in the interface.

    Here are a few suggestions to resolve the issue and achieve the effect you're looking for:

    1. Use Border Underline (Instead of Text Underline)

    Instead of applying an underline to the text itself, you can use Excel’s border feature to add an underline that will appear both on the screen and when printed. This is often a more reliable method for creating lines that persist.

    • Steps:
      1. Select the cell (or range of cells) where you want the underline to appear.
      2. Go to the Home tab.
      3. In the Font group, click on the drop-down next to the Borders button.
      4. Choose Bottom Border (or any other suitable option).

    This will place a solid line at the bottom of the cell, which will persist on screen and also appear when printed.

    2. Use a Row or Column for Underline

    If the underline needs to be within a larger header, you could adjust your cell structure a little by adding a row or column specifically to serve as the line. You can merge cells, then format the merged cell with a border or shading to give it the appearance of a line.

    • Steps:
      1. Insert a row below your header text (or a column to the right, depending on your layout).
      2. In that row or column, apply a bottom border.
      3. Merge cells as necessary and adjust the width or height for alignment.

    3. Ensure the Correct Font Style and Size

    Sometimes, the underline might not show up clearly depending on the font style or size you're using. Double-check that you're using a font that is properly supported for underlining in Excel.

    • Steps:
      1. Select the text in the header.
      2. Make sure the font size and type are standard.
      3. Apply the underline via the Font options (either using the Underline button or Ctrl + U).

     

    4. Printing Preview Check

    You mentioned that the text prints but the underline doesn't. Double-check the Print Preview to ensure that the underline is being recognized in the print layout.

    • Steps:
      1. Go to File > Print to check the Print Preview.
      2. If the underline still isn't visible, try changing the print settings or margins.

     

    5. Check Excel Version or Update

    In rare cases, there may be bugs or issues with specific versions of Excel that affect how formatting is displayed. Ensure your version of Excel is updated to the latest version.

    Using the border option for underlining is the most reliable method and should display the line in both the Excel interface and on the printed document. The text was created with the help of AI.

    My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!

    Hope this will help you.

     

    Happy Excel-ing!

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