How to Use Excel Formatting Features - Format Excel Spreadsheets

There are a variety of formatting options available in Excel - conditional formatting, number formatting, text and general spreadsheet formatting techniques. With so many choices it is easy to get lost or miss some options altogether. Here you will find free step by step tutorials, how to's, general information, tips and shortcuts to help you format your spreadsheets effectively.

Excel Basic Step by Step Format Tutorial

This step by step tutorial is a continuation of the Basic Excel Tutorial and covers how to apply formatting techniques such as merge and center titles and headings, changing column widths, shading alternate rows with conditional formatting, and applying number formats to worksheet data.

Excel IF Function Format Tutorial Part 1

This tutorial is a continuation of the step by step IF function tutorial and applies formatting techniques - such as adding rows, widening columns, and applying number formatting to the worksheet data.

If Function Format Tutorial Part 2

This tutorial is a continuation of the IF function formatting tutorial listed above. This portion of the tutorial includes such topics as changing the alignment of data, shading alternate rows with conditional formatting, and using merge and center for worksheet titles and headings.

Change Column Widths in Excel

There are a number of ways to change column widths in Excel spreadsheets. This step by step tutorial shows you three ways to change column widths in Excel.

Excel AutoFormat

If you are unfamiliar with Excel's formatting features or your just don't have the time, Excel's Autoformat option gives you 17 styles to use to give your spreadsheets a professional look. Instructions on how to apply an autoformat style are included.

Insert a Watermark in Excel

This tutorial covers how create and display a visible watermark in Excel. The tutorial includes a step by step example of how to insert an image file into a header or footer to approximate a visible watermark.

Add Extra Cells to a Worksheet

This tutorial shows you how to add extra cells to an Excel worksheet wherever they are needed and without moving entire rows or columns of data. A step by step example of how to add single or multiple cells to an Excel worksheet is included.

Add and Delete Columns and Rows in Excel

This series of articles cover the basics of how to add and delete columns and rows in Excel worksheets. It is often necessary to alter the layout of a worksheet due to the addtion or removal of data.

Hide and Unhide Columns and Rows in Excel

This series of articles cover how to hide and unhide columns and rows in Excel worksheets.

How to Use Microsoft Excel's Format Painter

To quickly copy formatting from one cell or group of cells to another part of the spreadsheet use the format painter in Excel. The format painter icon is on the formatting toolbar. It is very useful when extending a spreadsheet to accommodate new data and you need to format the new cells to match the original data area.

How to Change the Sheet Tab Color of Excel Spreadsheets

In Microsoft Excel 2003 it is possible to color code the tabs of worksheets. Changing the color of worksheets tabs containing related information can make it easier to navigate through very . Or to use tab colors to differentiate between sheets containing unrelated information.

A part of The New York Times Company.