How to shade every other row in WPS Spreadsheet

Take this table as an example.

1. Set the color of part of the table according to our needs.

2. Select this area and double-click the Format Painter.

3. Then select the table areas we want to shade.

In this way, we can quickly shade every other row in WPS Spreadsheet.

Part 2：Step-by-Step Guide: How to Set Up a New Worksheet in Excel

Creating a new worksheet in Excel is a fundamental step before entering and organizing your data. Follow this step-by-step guide, complete with screenshots and descriptions, to set up your worksheet efficiently.

Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel:

Launch Microsoft Excel on your computer. You can find Excel in the Microsoft Office suite or directly from the Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).

Step 2: Start a New Workbook:

Upon opening Excel, a new blank workbook will automatically appear. If you have an existing workbook open, click on "File" in the top-left corner, then select "New" to start a new workbook.

Step 3: Renaming the Worksheet (Optional):

By default, the new worksheet is named "Sheet1." To rename it, double-click on the tab at the bottom of the worksheet, type your desired name (e.g., "Sales Data," "Expense Tracker"), and press "Enter."

Step 4: Insert Headers (Optional):

If your data requires headers (column titles), enter them in the first row of the worksheet. Headers help identify the data in each column and improve data organization.

Step 5: Format the Worksheet (Optional):

You can format the worksheet to improve readability and aesthetics. To adjust column width, click on the boundary line between column letters and drag it to the desired width. For row height, do the same between row numbers.

Step 6: Enter Data:

Begin entering your data into the worksheet. To enter data into a cell, click on it and then type. Use the "Tab" key to move to the right cell or the "Enter" key to move to the cell below.

Step 7: Edit and Modify Data:

To edit data, click on the cell containing the information you want to change. Make the necessary edits directly in the cell, and press "Enter" to confirm.

Step 8: Add More Worksheets (Optional):

If you need additional worksheets within the same workbook, click on the "+" icon on the right side of the last worksheet tab. This will insert a new blank worksheet. Repeat Step 3 to rename it accordingly.

Step 9: Save Your Workbook:

Remember to save your work regularly to avoid losing data. Click on "File" in the top-left corner and select "Save As." Choose the location on your computer where you want to save the workbook, give it a name, and click "Save."

Step 10: Close Excel:

Once you've finished setting up your worksheet and saving your workbook, you can close Excel by clicking on the "X" icon in the top-right corner.

Part 3：How to Apply Basic Row Coloring

Follow these steps to apply basic row coloring to your Excel worksheet using the conditional formatting feature:

Step 1: Select the Range of Cells

Start by selecting the range of cells to which you want to apply the alternating row colors. Click and drag your mouse over the desired cells to highlight them.

Step 2: Access Conditional Formatting Rules Manager

Next, go to the "Home" tab in the Excel ribbon at the top of the window. Look for the "Conditional Formatting" button in the "Styles" group and click on it. A dropdown menu will appear.

Step 3: Choose New Rule

From the dropdown menu, select "New Rule." This will open the "New Formatting Rule" dialog box.

Step 4: Choose "Use a formula to determine which cells to format"

In the "New Formatting Rule" dialog box, choose the option "Use a formula to determine which cells to format."

Step 5: Apply the Basic Row Coloring Formula

In the formula box, enter the formula to determine whether the row is even or odd. For example, to format every other row starting from the first row, you can use the formula "=MOD(ROW(),2)=1."

Step 6: Choose the Color

Click on the "Format" button to choose the desired background color for the alternate rows. A color picker will appear, allowing you to select the color you want to use.

Step 7: Confirm the Formatting

After selecting the color, click "OK" to confirm the formatting and close the color picker.

Step 8: Apply the Formatting

Back in the "New Formatting Rule" dialog box, click "OK" again to apply the rule and alternate row colors to your selected range of cells.

Once you complete these steps, Excel will automatically apply the chosen color to every other row within the selected range, making your data easier to read and understand.

Part 4：How to Customize Row Colors

Follow these steps to personalize row colors in Excel using the conditional formatting feature:

Step 1: Select the Range of Cells

On the worksheet, select the range of cells you want to apply custom row colors to. You can either choose specific cells or click the Select All button to apply the shading to the entire worksheet.

Step 2: Access Conditional Formatting

Click on the "Home" tab in the Excel ribbon. In the "Styles" group, click on "Conditional Formatting," and from the dropdown menu, select "New Rule."

Step 3: Choose Custom Format

In the "New Formatting Rule" dialog box, select "Format only cells that contain" from the list of options.

Step 4: Define the Condition

You can define a condition if you want to apply the custom row color based on specific criteria. For example, you can choose to format cells based on values, text, or date criteria. Skip this step if you want to apply the custom color to all rows.

Step 5: Customize Row Color

Click on the "Format" button. In the "Format Cells" dialog box, go to the "Fill" tab. Here, you can pick a color from the color palette or create a custom color by adjusting the RGB values or using the color picker.

Step 6: Preview and Confirm

As you customize the color, you can preview the changes in the "Sample" section. Once you are satisfied with the color, click "OK" to apply it.

Step 7: Apply the Formatting

Back in the "New Formatting Rule" dialog box, click "OK" to apply the custom row color to the selected range of cells.

Step 8: Check the Result

Review the worksheet to see the custom row colors you applied. Each row will have the color you chose, making your Excel data visually appealing and tailored to your preferences.

Part 5：Tips for Optimizing Row Coloring in Excel

• Limit the Number of Colors: To maintain readability and avoid visual clutter, it's best to use a limited number of colors for row alternation. Stick to two or three distinct colors to provide enough contrast while keeping the table clean and easy to interpret.

• Consider Color Blindness: Take into account that some users may be color-blind and may have difficulty distinguishing certain color combinations. Choose colors with sufficient contrast to ensure accessibility for all users.

• Test Color Combinations: Before finalizing row colors, conduct tests with different color combinations. Ask colleagues or friends for feedback on the readability and aesthetics of the table to ensure an optimal result.

• Use Gradients Sparingly: While color gradients can add depth and style, be cautious not to overuse them. Gradients might distract readers from the actual data, so reserve them for highlighting specific rows or elements.

• Focus on Data Hierarchy: Utilize row coloring to emphasize the data hierarchy. For example, you can use a more vibrant color for header rows to clearly distinguish them from regular data rows.

Part 6：Do More with WPS Office: Alternate Row Colors in Excel Files Easily!

While the methods mentioned earlier are applicable to both Microsoft Excel and WPS Office, we recommend using WPS Office for the following reasons:

• Price: WPS Office offers a cost-effective solution with its free version, providing essential features without the need for a subscription.

• Compatibility: WPS Office ensures seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, allowing smooth file exchange between different platforms.

• More Convenience: Enjoy user-friendly interfaces and efficient tools that make creating, editing, and formatting Excel files a breeze.

• Younger Style: WPS Office boasts a modern and fresh interface, appealing to users who prefer a contemporary design.

Download WPS Office now to explore its benefits and enjoy the convenience of alternate row colors in your Excel files effortlessly!

FAQs:

Q1:How do I remove alternating row colors in Excel? 

To remove alternating row colors in Excel, follow these steps:

• Select the range of cells with the alternating row colors you want to remove.

• Go to the "Home" tab in the Excel ribbon.

• Click on "Conditional Formatting" in the "Styles" group.

• Choose "Clear Rules" and select "Clear Rules from Selected Cells" from the dropdown menu. This will remove the alternating row colors from the selected range.

Q2:Can I apply row coloring to specific columns only? 

Yes, you can apply row coloring to specific columns only in Excel. Here's how:

• Select the range of cells you want to format.

• Go to the "Home" tab in the Excel ribbon.

• Click on "Conditional Formatting" in the "Styles" group.

• Choose "New Rule" from the dropdown menu.

• In the "New Formatting Rule" dialog box, select "Use a formula to determine which cells to format."

• Enter a formula that applies to the specific columns you want to format.

• Click on the "Format" button to choose the desired background color for the rows.

• Confirm the formatting, and the row coloring will be applied only to the specified columns.

Q3:Is it possible to automate row coloring with VBA?

Yes, it is possible to automate row coloring with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) in Excel. You can use VBA code to create custom formatting rules and apply row colors based on specific conditions.

Final Thoughts on Excel Every Other Row Color

In conclusion, optimizing row coloring in Excel is a crucial aspect of enhancing data presentation and readability. By following the step-by-step guides, users can easily apply alternating row colors or customize them according to their preferences. Balancing aesthetics and functionality ensure that data remains clear and accessible to all users.

While both Microsoft Excel and WPS Office offer these capabilities, we highly recommend considering WPS Office for several compelling reasons. Firstly, WPS Office provides a cost-effective solution with its free version, making it budget-friendly. Secondly, its seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office formats allows for easy file exchange between different platforms. Moreover, WPS Office offers a more convenient and user-friendly interface, making data management and formatting a hassle-free experience.