MS Excel - Excel formatting.

.1. Basic Cell Formatting

2. Number Formatting

Excel offers multiple built-in number formats:

• General → Default, no specific format.

• Number → Adds decimals & thousands separators.

• Currency / Accounting → Adds currency symbols.

• Date / Time → Formats numbers as dates or times.

• Percentage → Converts decimal to percentage.

• Custom Format → Create your own patterns.

Shortcut:

• Open Format Cells dialog: Ctrl+1

• Go to Number tab → Choose your desired format.

Examples of Custom Formats:

3. Conditional Formatting

Use this to highlight cells based on rules.

Steps:

1. Select range → Home → Conditional Formatting

2. Choose:

   • Highlight Cells Rules → e.g., Greater Than, Less Than

   • Top/Bottom Rules → e.g., Top 10%, Bottom 10

   • Data Bars / Color Scales / Icon Sets

3. Or use Custom Formula:

   • Go to Conditional Formatting → New Rule → Use a formula

   • Example:
     =A1>100 → Highlights cells greater than 100

4. Alignment & Text Control

5. Table & Data Formatting

• Format as Table:
  Home → Format as Table → Choose style.

• AutoFilter:
  Home → Sort & Filter → Filter (Ctrl+Shift+L).

• Freeze Panes:
  View → Freeze Panes → Keeps headers visible.

6. Advanced Formatting Tricks

a) Alternate Row Colors

• Select range → Home → Conditional Formatting → New Rule

• Formula: =MOD(ROW(),2)=0

• Apply a light fill color.

b) Dynamic Formatting with Formulas

Example: Highlight today’s date.

• Formula: =A1=TODAY()

• Apply a bold border or special color.

c) Custom Number Formatting for Negatives

• Format: #,##0.00;[Red]-#,##0.00

• Positive numbers stay normal, negative numbers turn red.

7. Useful Shortcuts for Fast Formatting