How to Format a Cell in Microsoft Excel

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Knowing how to format your spreadsheet in Excel, the cells in particular, 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. Each cell in Microsoft Excel can be modified and formatted to follow your specific preferences.

Quick Steps

  1. Highlight the cells you want to format with your mouse.
  2. Right click the cells and select Format Cells .
  3. Select your desired formatting options and click OK to save.

Steps

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    Click the “Start” button on the lower-left corner of your screen and select “All Programs” from the menu. Inside, you’ll find the “Microsoft Office” folder where Excel is listed. Click on Excel.
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    Highlight it using your mouse cursor.
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    Right-click on the cells you’ve selected and select “Format Cells” from the pop up menu to access the “Format Cells” window.
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    There are six formatting options that you can use to customize a cell or group of cells:
    • Number – Defines the format of numerical data entered on the cells such as dates, currency, time, percentage, fraction and more.
    • Alignment – Sets how the data will be visually aligned inside each cells (left, right or centered).
    • Font – Sets all the options related to text fonts such as styles, sizes and colors.
    • Border – Improves the visual appearance of each cell by adding definite lines (borders) around a cell or group of cells.
    • Fill – Sets the background color and pattern formats of each cell on the spreadsheet.
    • Protection – Adds security to cells and data contained inside it by hiding or locking the selected cells or group of cells.
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    Click on the “OK” button at the lower right corner of the “Format Cells” window to save any changes you’ve made and apply the formats you’ve set to the selected cells.
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      Tips

      • 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.
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      • You can use this method to format cells of new files or existing spreadsheet documents you currently have.
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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.
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      Article Summary X

      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!

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