I use Excel 2007. I selected 4 cells then formatted Pattern Color then
Pattern Style (any but uppermost left style). Then I selected 16 cells
including the previous 4 and formatted Pattern Color and Pattern Style (any
but uppermost left style). I cannot get a pattern to appear without
selecting a pattern style. Then went to Format Cells - Fill and selected
Background Color - No color. The pattern colors and styles disappeared and
the gridlines remained. I can make the gridlines disappear by selecting the
upper left selection in Pattern Styles and bring the gridlines back by
selecting Background Color - No color. The uppermost left pattern style
hides the gridlines but does not apply a color.

tyro

"Filibuster" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

Thanks for the replies - but I am still having problems. I should also
mention, the original spreadsheet used borders extensively, and adding
lite
gray borders to simulate the gridlines will destroy them.

To see what I am talking about, try this. Open a blank work sheet.
Highlight a square block of cells. Format Cells... Patterns and click a
color OK. Then, highlight a larger square area that includes the colored
cells. Format Cells... Patterns and click a pattern OK. Now, highlight
all
the same cells from step 2 and remove the pattern. You'll see the
gridlines
are no longer visible.

I think the problem is that when removing the pattern, I want the checkbox
to show greyed out (like it is originally before you select pattern)
instead
of picking the empty white "pattern".

Maybe I can do this through VBA.