Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 4, 2023)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Excel allows you to place many different types of graphics objects within your worksheets. One common type of graphic object is a line or arrow. When you first insert lines or arrows into your worksheet, Excel places them using a thin line. You may want to change the width of the line used, as well as the style of line or arrow. Excel allows you to do this using three tools on the Drawing toolbar.
To use the tools, make sure you select the line you want changed before you click on a tool. You can change the line styles for any drawing composed of lines, but not for AutoShapes, rectangles, or ovals.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2461) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Excel (Excel 2007 and later) here: Styles for Lines, Dashes, and Arrows.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
Excel allows you to set up graphics so that they are associated with cells and even stay with the cells when the cells ...
Discover MoreGraphics can really add pizzazz to a worksheet, but they can also present some drawbacks. If you want to get rid of all ...
Discover MoreWant to change an existing bar chart to a different type of chart, such as a line chart or a column chart? It's easy to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the menu interface (Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, or Excel 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments