Applying Color to Alternate Rows in Microsoft Excel

How to Shade Every Other Row in Excel

Shading alternate rows in Excel improves readability and makes your data more visually organized. You can achieve this in two main ways: using Tables or Conditional Formatting. Here’s how:

Method 1: Using a Table with Alternating Colors

Convert Data to a Table

1. Select Your Dataset: Highlight the rows and columns you want to format.
2. Go to the Home Tab: Click the Format as Table drop-down in the ribbon.
3. Choose a Style: Pick an alternating row color style from the menu.
4. Confirm the Range: Ensure the correct range is selected in the dialog box and click OK.

Your dataset is now formatted as a table with alternating row colors.

Style an Existing Table

1. Select a Cell in the Table: Click any cell in the existing table.
2. Go to the Table Design Tab: In the ribbon, check Banded Rows under “Table Style Options.”
3. Choose a New Style: Open the Table Styles gallery and pick a style with alternating colors.

Method 2: Using Conditional Formatting

Shade Every Other Row Without a Table

1. Select the Range: Highlight the rows you want to format.
   • To format the whole sheet, click the Select All button (triangle at the top-left of the sheet).
2. Open Conditional Formatting:
   • Go to the Home Tab → Conditional Formatting → New Rule.
3. Create a Formula Rule:
   • In the “New Formatting Rule” dialog, select Use a Formula to Determine Which Cells to Format.
   • Enter the formula:excelCopyEdit=MOD(ROW(),2)=0
     • This formula shades even rows.
4. Choose a Fill Color:
   • Click Format, go to the Fill Tab, and pick a color.
   • Click OK to preview and OK again to apply.

Shade Odd Rows

1. Repeat the steps above but use this formula:excelCopyEdit=MOD(ROW(),2)=1
   • This formula shades odd rows.

Editing or Removing Conditional Formatting

To adjust or remove formatting:

1. Go to Home Tab → Conditional Formatting → Manage Rules.
2. Select the rule to edit or delete, and click OK to save changes.

Key Benefits

• Tables: Automatically adjust shading for new rows added to the dataset.
• Conditional Formatting: Allows alternating colors without converting the data to a table.

Choose the method that best fits your needs for a professional and clear spreadsheet presentation!

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