Make your spreadsheet more readable by auto-colouring alternate rows
Want your Microsoft Excel worksheet to be clean and easy to scan at a glance? One simple, underrated enhancement to increase readability is colouring alternate rows in Excel. Best of all, you can do it automatically with Table Styles—no need to select every other row manually.
This technique is invaluable when working with large datasets, financial models, inventory logs, or client databases. Alternating row colours help users trace data accurately and spot errors faster.
Why colour alternate rows in Excel?
- Improve readability and prevent misreading across long rows.
- Enhance the visual polish of your spreadsheet.
- Make reports and dashboards look professional.
- Reduce eye strain on number-heavy sheets.
- Quick to apply—no formulas or code required.
Step-by-step: Auto-colour alternate rows using Excel Table Styles
Step 1: Convert your data into an Excel Table
- Select the range you want to format.
- Go to the Insert tab on the Ribbon.
- Click Table.
- Check My table has headers if your range includes column headers.
- Click OK.
Excel will format your range as a structured table.
Step 2: Apply banded rows via Table Style
- With the table selected, open the Table Design tab (or Design in older versions).
- In Table Style Options, enable Banded Rows.
- Excel will automatically apply alternating shades based on the current table style.
Create a table style that matches your brand
- Open the Table Design tab.
- At the bottom of the Table Styles gallery, choose New Table Style.
- Customize Header Row, Banded Rows, Total Row, etc.
- Save it and reuse the style on future tables.
Bonus tip: Duplicate striping with Conditional Formatting (optional)
If you’re not using an Excel Table but still want alternating colours:
- Select the data range.
- Go to Home → Conditional Formatting → New Rule → Use a formula to determine which cells to format.
- Enter the formula:
=MOD(ROW(),2)=0 - Click Format, choose a fill colour, and press OK.
This method gives you more control without converting the range into a table.
By mastering Microsoft Excel’s automatic banded-row feature, you instantly give your spreadsheets a cleaner, more organized look—boosting both functionality and professionalism. Whether you’re sharing reports with your boss, team, or clients, they’ll appreciate the clarity.
Make your data pop. Format smart. Excel confidently.
Learn More with Other Levels
- 🌐 Visit the Other Levels website
- 📺 Watch free tutorials on the Other Levels YouTube channel and learn Microsoft Excel from beginner to advanced.
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