This article shows you how to automatically apply shading to every other row or column in a worksheet.

Highlight or shade alternate rows of data with colors or patterns to improve the readability of your Excel worksheets.

Make a table to shade or highlight alternate rows. The easiest way to apply shading or highlighting to alternate rows is to make them a table. Tables also include tools to help you analyze your data.

To use a pattern with two colors, select another color in the Pattern Color box, and then select a pattern style in the Pattern Style box. To use a pattern with special effects, select Fill Effects, …

If you want to change multiple lines, select the first line, and then press and hold Ctrl while you select the other lines. On the Shape Format tab, select Shape Outline, then select the color …

Table Background Quickly apply a color or picture to the background of an entire table. Remove shading from a table Select the cells you want to change. To select an entire table, click in the …

How to use conditional formatting in Excel to visually explore, analyze, and identify patterns and trends.

By default, gridlines are displayed in worksheets using the color that is assigned to Automatic. To change the color of gridlines, you can use the following procedure.

Set varying colors of data markers (bars, columns, lines, pie or doughnut slices, dots, and other shapes) automatically in an Office chart.

You can add shading to cells by filling them with a solid color, a pattern color, a pattern style, or any combination of the three. You can remove cell shading if you no longer need it.