thanks peter. tried the macro route and tinkered with it a couple of hours before i gave up.
appreciate your suggestion.

k
>how about this from excel marcro recorder:
>
>
>

>WITH oExcel 
>    .Range("C7:G13").Select
>    .Selection.Borders(xlDiagonalDown).LineStyle = xlNone
>    .Selection.Borders(xlDiagonalUp).LineStyle = xlNone
>    .Selection.Borders(xlEdgeLeft).LineStyle = xlNone
>    .Selection.Borders(xlEdgeTop).LineStyle = xlNone
>    With .Selection.Borders(xlEdgeBottom)
>        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
>        .ColorIndex = 0
>        .TintAndShade = 0
>        .Weight = xlThin
>    EndWith
>    .Selection.Borders(xlEdgeRight).LineStyle = xlNone
>    .Selection.Borders(xlInsideVertical).LineStyle = xlNone
>    .Selection.Borders(xlInsideHorizontal).LineStyle = xlNone
>    .Selection.Borders(xlDiagonalDown).LineStyle = xlNone
>    .Selection.Borders(xlDiagonalUp).LineStyle = xlNone
>    With .Selection.Borders(xlEdgeLeft)
>        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
>        .ColorIndex = 0
>        .TintAndShade = 0
>        .Weight = xlMedium
>    EndWith
>    With .Selection.Borders(xlEdgeTop)
>        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
>        .ColorIndex = 0
>        .TintAndShade = 0
>        .Weight = xlMedium
>    EndWith
>    With .Selection.Borders(xlEdgeBottom)
>        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
>        .ColorIndex = 0
>        .TintAndShade = 0
>        .Weight = xlMedium
>    EndWith
>    With .Selection.Borders(xlEdgeRight)
>        .LineStyle = xlContinuous
>        .ColorIndex = 0
>        .TintAndShade = 0
>        .Weight = xlMedium
>    EndWith
>    .Selection.Borders(xlInsideVertical).LineStyle = xlNone
>    .Selection.Borders(xlInsideHorizontal).LineStyle = xlNone
>ENDWITH