problem with the solution Tamar is that this creates a box around each cell instead of the defined area.

oXL.Range("a1:d1").Borders.Linestyle = 1

>>Does anyone know how to place a border around a group of cells in excel automation.
>>so far so good.
>>thanks
>>k
>>

>>oRange = oWorkbook.Sheets[1].range("A1", "B2") 
>>oRange.Interior.ColorIndex = 41
>>oRange.Font.Name= "corbel"
>>oRange.Font.Size= 11 
>>oRange.Font.Italic = .T.
>>oRange.Font.Bold = .T.
>>oRange.font.ColorIndex = 19
>>

>
>Check out the Borders collection. Here's the Help for the 2007 version, but it shouldn't be terribly different, whatever version you're using: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office/bb210096%28v=office.12%29.aspx
>
>Tamar