Using Formatting Styles
In this step we will use Excel's pre-set formatting styles to add some color to our worksheet. Doing so not only gives it a more polished look, but it can also make it easier to read and interpret the worksheet data.
Specifically, we will apply shading to the worksheet headings in rows 2 and 7 as well as rows 3 and 6 using the formatting Styles options located on the Home tab of the ribbon.
To make our efforts more efficient, we will select non-adjacent cells of data using the Ctrl key on the keyboard. This will allow us to apply the formatting to all highlighted cells at the same time.
For this tutorial:
Adding Shading to Worksheet Headings
- Click on the merged title cell in row 2.
- Press and hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard.
- Drag select cells A7 to F7 to highlight them as well as the merged title cell.
- Release the Ctrl key.
- Click on the down arrow at the end of the available styles list.
- Choose the Accent 3 option from the available styles.
- Both the merged title cell and the headings in row 7 should now have a green background white text.
- To make the white text a little more visible, click on the Bold icon on the ribbon.
- The bold icon is the black letter B under the font section of the ribbon.
Adding Shading to Rows 3 and 6
- Drag select cells A3 to F3 to highlight them.
- Press and hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard.
- Drag select cells A6 to F6 to highlight them as well as cells A3 to F3.
- Click on the down arrow at the end of the available styles list.
- Choose the 40% - Accent 3 option from the available styles.
- Cells A3 to F3 and A6 to F6 should now have a light green background with black text.
