Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here: Understanding Underlines.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 11, 2021)
This tip applies to Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
There are several different types of underlines you can use in Excel. Underlining of information within cells is handled by choosing Cells from the Format menu, whereupon the Format Cells dialog box is displayed; you should make sure the Font tab is displayed. (See Figure 1.)
Figure 1. The Font tab of the Format Cells dialog box.
In the Underline box, in the lower-left corner, you can select any of five different underline types.
| Underline Type | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|
| None | Removes any underlining from the cell contents. | |
| Single | Adds a single underline, the entire width of the cell contents. | |
| Double | Adds a double-line underline, the entire width of the cell contents. | |
| Single Accounting | Same as the Single underline, except it is moved downward just a bit. | |
| Double Accounting | Same as the Double underline, except it is moved downward just a bit. |
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2508) 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: Understanding Underlines.
Program Successfully in Excel! This guide will provide you with all the information you need to automate any task in Excel and save time and effort. Learn how to extend Excel's functionality with VBA to create solutions not possible with the standard features. Includes latest information for Excel 2024 and Microsoft 365. Check out Mastering Excel VBA Programming today!
Want a quick way to add some underlines to your cell values? It's easy using the shortcuts provided in this tip.
Discover MoreWant some dashes automatically added in values you display in a cell? It may be trickier to develop a custom format than ...
Discover MoreIf you don't like the font that Excel uses, by default, in a workbook, you can change it. Here's how.
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 © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Excel 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Excel, click here:
Comments