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Are you wondering how to customize data cells in Excel? This can really help you improve not just the aesthetic perspective of your document, but also its effectiveness in providing relevant information to the viewers of the files. Here's how to format a cell in Microsoft Excel using your Windows or Mac computer.
Changing the Format of a Cell
To format a cell in Microsoft Excel, select the cells. Then, select a new font style, size, color, or background. You can also apply Bold, Italic, Underline, or Alignments.
Steps
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Open a workbook in Microsoft Excel. You can use an existing project or create a new spreadsheet. Make sure you're on the correct worksheet.- Microsoft Excel is available on Windows and Mac. You can also use the online web version at https://www.office.com/.
- Use this method to change the font style or appearance of a cell. If you want to add formulas to a cell, see our articles on Excel basics and conditional formatting instead.
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Select the cells you want to format. You can click and drag from one corner to the opposite corner. You can also select individual cells by holding CTRL (Windows) or CMD (Mac) while clicking.Advertisement -
Change the font style. With the cells highlighted, click one of the options in the Font and/or Alignment section of the Home tab.[1]- Click the font drop-down menu to change the font style.
- Click the font size drop-down menu to change the font size.
- Click Bold, Italic, or Underline to apply the style.
- Click the paint bucket icon to change the cell's background or the colored A icon to change the font color.
- Click an Alignment (Top, Middle, Bottom, Left, Center, or Right) to apply it.
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Apply a premade Cell Style. With the cells highlighted, click Cell Styles in the Styles section of the Home tab. Preview a style by hovering over it. Click it to apply the style. -
Add a number format. With the cells highlighted, click the drop-down menu in the Number section of the Home tab. Select Number.- You can add or decrease decimal points by clicking the .000 icons.
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Select the cells with formatting you want to clear. You can click and drag from one corner to the opposite corner. You can also select individual cells by holding CTRL (Windows) or CMD (Mac) while clicking. -
Click Clear. This is on the Home tab. -
Click Clear Formats. The selected cells will be cleared of formatting.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
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Avoid using formats that are visually irritating such as fill colors that don’t compliment the colors of the fonts, or artistic font styles that are not appropriate for formal documents like the spreadsheet.Thanks
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When formatting cells in Excel, do it in groups (either by rows or columns) so that your spreadsheet will have a clean and uniform appearance.Thanks
References
About This Article
To format a cell in Microsoft Excel, start by highlighting the specific cell you want to format. Then, right-click on the cell and click on "Format Cells." Choose whatever formatting you want for the cell from the different options, then click "Okay." That's all there is to it! For a step-by-step walkthrough with pictures, check out the full article below!
