Easily select every other (nth) row or column in a specified range in Excel

We can add a help column to identify every 5/n row, and then filter these rows and add borders for them in Excel.

Step 1: In a blank column besides original range, type Rows into the first cell, enter formula =MOD(ROW(),5)=0 into the second cell (Cell E2 in our case), and then drag the Fill Handle to the range you want to apply this formula.

Note: In the formula =MOD(ROW(),5)=0, 5 means every 5th row, and you can change it based on your needs.

Step 2: Select the Rows column, and then click the Data > Filter.

Step 3: In the Rows column, click the arrow in the first cell, and then uncheck all options except the TURE option, and click the OK button. See below screen shot:

Step 4: Select all filtered out rows except the heading row, and then click the arrow beside Border button > All Borders on the Home tab. See screen shot:

Step 5: Now delete the Rows column, and you will see all borders are added to every 5th row at once.

We can also apply the Conditional Formatting command to border every 5/n row in Excel.

Step 1: Select the range you want to border every 5/n row in Excel.

Step 2: Click the Conditional Formatting > New Rule on the Home tab. See screen shot below:

Step 3: Now in the New Formatting Rule dialog box, you need:

(1) Click to highlight Use a formula to determine which cells to format in the Select a Rule Type box;

(2) In the Format values where this formula is true box, enter the formula =MOD(ROW(),5)=0 ;

(3) Click the Format button.

Step 4: In the Format Cells dialog box, go to the Border tab, specify a line style, click to highlight the Outline button, and click the OK button.

Note: To color the border, you can click the Color box in the Line section and select a color from the drop down list in the Format Cells dialog box.

Step 5: Click the OK button in the New Formatting Rule dialog box.

Then you will see every 5th row are added with specified borders.

Actually we can select every 5th row with Kutools for Excel's Select Interval Rows & Columns utility, and then add borders to selected rows easily in Excel.

Step 1: Select the range you want to border every 5/n row in Excel.

Note: For example we want to border every 5th row in the Range A1:D20, we should select the range A5:D20.

Step 2: Click the Kutools > Select > Select Interval Rows & Columns.

Step 3: In the Select Interval Rows & Columns dialog box, check Rows option in the Select section, type 4 into the Interval of box, type 1 into the Rows box, and click the OK button. See screenshot above:

Now, every 5th row is selected at once in the selected range.

Step 4: Go to Home tab, and click the arrow beside Border button > All Borders. See screen shot below:

Then you will see borders are added to every 5th row immediately.