Formatting WorksheetsBelow are several Frequently Asked Questions and answers on the subject of Formatting Worksheets in Excel. |
How can I change the layout of two graphics that overlap each other? |
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How do I copy a custom pallette to another workbook?
Keywords: Copy Custom Pallette
Posted May 18, 1996
Once you have created a custom palette, it might be necessary to copy the palette into another workbook. To do this:
Can I customize the color palette?
Keywords: Customize Color Palette
Posted May 18, 1996
The Excel color palette is used often by Excel users to enhance the look of their spreadsheet. The 56 default colors are usually fine for most applications, and you may never need another color. However, if a particular shade would be just right for your presentation, Excel enables you to customize the color palette.
You can use one of two methods to select a color.
To customize your own colors:
Excel returns you to the Color tab. To customize others colors in the palette, repeat the previous steps. When you have finished, click on OK or press Enter. Excel returns you to the worksheet with the new palette.
How can I change the layout of two graphics that overlap each other?
Keywords: Layout Graphics Overlaps
Posted February 5, 1996
Let's say you have two graphics that overlap each other. The object created last will cover part of the other object. In other words the newer object is in front of the older one. To change the order, select one of the objects and from the toolbar select either the Format - Placement - Bring to Front command or Format - Placement - Send to Back command.
Shortcut: On the Drawing toolbar are icons for the two commands Bring to Front button or the Send to Back button.
Can I merge Styles from one workbook to another?
Keywords: Merge Workbook Styles
Posted January 16, 1996
One way of creating styles involves copying the existing styles from another document into the current workbook. This method is used if you have other workbooks in which you have already defined several styles. Instead of defining them again, you simply copy them into your new workbook.
Excel will then copy the styles from the file and return you to the Style dialog box. To apply a new style, select it from the Style Name list box and then click OK. If the receiving workbook contains any styles with the same name as styles being merged, Excel displays a warning box. Click on "Yes" to overwrite the existing styles or "No" to merge all styles except those with the same name.
If you have a number of styles you use frequently, you can create a workbook that stores your favorite styles. To use these styles in the current workbook, just merge them from your styles workbook.
Here's another neat trick: Create a one-worksheet template containing your favorite styles. When you need these styles in your current workbook, right-click on any sheet tab in your workbook and choose the Insert... command. Pick your template from the list and a copy of your one-sheet template will be inserted into your current workbook. This imports all the styles of the inserted template. Even if you delete the sheet you've just imported, the styles will still be there!
How can I get 3D effects in my worksheets?
Keywords: 3D Effects Worksheet
Posted January 17, 1996 You can use contrasting border and pattern colors to
achieve impressive 3D effects in your worksheets. Begin by coloring each cell in the
worksheet with a neutral color like light gray. With Excel's 3D effects, you can format an
area to look as though it is raised or lowered.
To create the effect, select the top row of cells in the range. Choose Format - Cells - Border tab from the menu bar.
Super Tip: To accomplish this procedure with a single click, check out the 3D Shading tool from the Baarns Utilities.
How do I delete a row or column in my worksheet?
Keywords: Delete Row Column Worksheet
Posted January 19, 1996
You can delete a row or column quickly in Excel. Select the row or column you wish to delete or use Shift+Spacebar to select an entire row; use Ctrl+Spacebar to select an entire column. From the menu bar, choose Edit - Delete or right-click on the mouse and choose Delete.
Shortcut: After selecting a row or column, use Ctrl+minus sign (-) to delete a row or column quickly.
How do I display worksheet formulas?
Keywords: Display Worksheet Formulas
Posted January 16, 1996
Excel displays the results of a formula in cells, by default, rather than the formula itself. If you need to view a formula, you simply choose the appropriate cell and look at the formula bar. However, there are times when you will want to view all the formulas in a worksheet, especially when you are troubleshooting your work. To do this, select Tools - Option. Then select the View Tab and activate the Formulas check box. Click OK or Press Enter. Excel will then display the worksheet formulas. A shortcut to toggle a worksheet between values and formulas is Ctrl +` (backquote).
How do I hide and print gridlines?
Keywords: Hide Unhide Print Gridlines
Posted January 16, 1996
When you hide gridlines on a sheet, formats such as borders, double underlining and shading stand out. To hide gridlines, from the Menu bar choose Tools - Options - View Tab and clear the Gridlines check box.
To hide gridlines when you print only, from the Menu bar, choose File - Page Setup and clear the Gridlines check box on the Sheet tab. To restore gridlines, repeat the preceding steps and check the boxes.
How do I set the Row Height?
Keywords: Set Row Height
Posted January 16, 1996
If you have made several font changes and height adjustments to a long set of entries, you may need to try several times before you set an optimum row height. To save time, use Excel's AutoFit feature to set the height automatically to the best fit. First, select the row or rows you want to adjust. You can even select the entire worksheet by clicking on the Select Worksheet button between the row and column headings. Then choose Format - Row - AutoFit There is also a shortcut to adjusting the row height. To quickly set the AutoFit height, position the mouse pointer at the bottom edge of the row header of a selected row(s) and double-click.
Additionally, to have more control over row height, you can select a group of rows, even discontiguous rows, and drag the bottom of any one of them to adjust them all. If you look at the Name box (at the left edge of the formula bar) Excel will display the size of the row height as you drag it larger or smaller. This is a good way to set consistent spacer rows. Select them all then drag one to the size you need. All of the selected rows will obey your command.
How do I create a custom list to use with the Fill handle?
Keywords: Custom List Fill Handle
Posted February 3, 1996
Excel has several built-in lists which will fill in adjacent cells when you drag the fill handle on a selected cell or range. An example would be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and so forth,
You can create custom lists for almost anything. The easiest way is:
Create your list on a blank worksheet (say for example four divisions of a fictitious company: East Coast, Mid West, Mountain, West Coast)
You can also make a list on-the-fly. Without a range selected:
You can also create lists for a custom sort order. With a cell selected in a list of any type, choose Data - Sort and then the Options tab. You can see that this is picking up the Custom Lists as well. Any custom list made can be used as a custom sort order, if you enter it in the correct order.
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