How Do I Change the Default Background Color in Excel (3 Examples)

The “Default Background Color” in Excel refers to the background color that is applied to all cells by default. Excel’s default background color is White. We love to modify everything for the betterment. Even in the case of using Excel, we try to change the default background color of the Worksheet to modify its appearance. In this article, we are going to learn how to change the default background color in Excel.

Difference Between Background Color and Default Background Color in Excel

In Microsoft Excel, the “Background Color” refers to the color that is applied to a selected cell or range of cells. This color can be applied manually by selecting the “Fill Color” option in the “Home” tab of the ribbon, or it can be applied through conditional formatting rules that change the cell’s background color based on certain criteria.

On the other hand, the “Default Background Color” in Excel refers to the background color that is applied to all cells by default. This is the color that appears behind the data in each cell before any other formatting is applied. By default, the default background color is white, but it can be changed by modifying the workbook’s default settings or by applying a different default color scheme.

In summary, the main difference between Background Color and Default Background Color in Excel is that the former refers to the color applied to individual cells, while the latter refers to the color applied to all cells by default.

How Do I Change the Default Background Color in Excel: 3 Ideal Examples

Let’s say, we have a dataset that contains information about several Sales Representatives of the Armani group. The Names of the Sales Representatives, types of products, and products sold by the Sales Representatives in several months are given in columns B, C, D, and E respectively. Go through the following easy methods to enhance your knowledge about changing the default background color in Excel. We have used the Modify feature, the VBA code, and chosen a picture from the destination folder to change the default background color. Here’s an overview of the dataset for today’s task.

1. Modify Normal Cell Style to Change the Default Background Color in Excel

In this example, we will use the Modify feature to change the default background color. From our dataset, we will change the default white background color to light Orange color using the Modify feature in Excel. Let’s follow the instructions below to learn!

Steps:

The below image describes the overview of the default white background color.

To change the default background color, from your Home ribbon, go to,

Home → Styles → Cell Styles → Normal → Modify

As a result, the Style dialog box will appear. From the Style dialog box, select the Format

After that, the Format Cells dialog box will appear in front of you. From the Format Cells dialog box, choose any color from the Fill tab as you want to change the default background color. We have chosen light Orange At last, press the OK option.

Again, press the OK option.

Finally, you will be able to change the default white background color to light Orange color.

To easily understand how to change the default background color, look at the below GIF file.

2. Run an Excel VBA Code to Change the Default Background Color

I’ll show how to change the default background color using a simple VBA code. It’s very helpful for some particular moments. From our dataset, we will change the default white background color to the required RGV value using a simple VBA code. Let’s follow the instructions below to change the background color using a simple VBA code!

First of all, open a Module. To do that, from your Developer tab, go to,

Developer → Visual Basic

A window named Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications – Change Default Background Color will instantly appear in front of you. From that window, we will insert a module for applying our VBA code. To do that, go to,

Insert → Module

Hence, the Change Default Background Color module pops up. In the Change Default Background Color module, write down the below VBA code.

Sub ChangeDefaultBackgroundColor()
	Dim myStyle As Style
	Set myStyle = ThisWorkbook.Styles("Normal")
	myStyle.Interior.Color = RGB(255, 200, 204)
	' change the RGB values to the desired color
	ThisWorkbook.DefaultTableStyle = "TableStyleMedium2"
	' apply a table style to see the color changes
End Sub

Now, press the Run button to execute the VBA code.

You will be able to customize the default white background color to require RGB color.

To easily understand how to change the default background color, look at the below GIF file.

3. Change the Default Background Color by Choosing a Picture as Excel Background

In this example, we will customize the default white background color by choosing a picture as an Excel background. Let’s follow the instructions below to learn!

From your Page Layout ribbon, go to,

Page Layout → Page Setup → Background

As a result, the Insert Pictures dialog box pops up. From that dialog box, select the Form a file option to insert a picture as an Excel background.

Insert an image from your destination folder. Hence, press the Insert

Finally, you can change the default background color.

Notes:

You can only change the default background color by choosing a picture as the Excel background of the current working sheet.

In the above first and second examples, you will be able to customize the default background color automatically but in the third example, you can not do that.

The graphic picture is positioned in the background and repeatedly reproduced until it completely covers the space. This method has the advantage of not affecting any conditional formatting and preventing the background image from printing.

You can apply this example to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Microsoft Office 365.

How to Add or Change the Background Color of Cells Using Fill Color Feature in Excel?

You can add or change the background color of the entire sheet or specific cells of a sheet using the Fill Color feature.

1. Change the Background Color of Entire Sheet

Here we will learn how to change the background color of an entire sheet. To do that, firstly, press Ctrl + A button. After that, from your Home ribbon, go to,

Home → Font → Fill Color

You can choose any color from the Fill Color feature to change or add the background color. We have chosen the light Blue color.

As a result, you can change the background color of the entire sheet.

2. Changing the Background Color of Specific Cells

Now, we will modify the background color of specific cells. Select a cell for the convenience of our work. Let’s say, we will select cell E10. Hence, pick the Orange color from the Fill Color feature under the Home ribbon.

How to Apply a Pattern or Fill Effects to Excel Cells

You can change a cell’s background as some pattern or effect too. Follow the steps below to accomplish this.

Steps:

At first, choose the cell in which you want to change the background.
Subsequently, right-click in the cell and choose the Format Cells… option from the context menu.

At this time, the Format Cells window will appear.
Go to Fill Now, for the pattern background, choose your desired pattern color from the Pattern Color dropdown list.
Subsequently, choose the pattern style from the Pattern Style dropdown list.
Hence, select the Fill Effects option.

After that, a Fill Effects dialog box pops up.
From the Fill Effects dialog box, choose the Two colors option from the Colors list.
Subsequently, choose your shading style from the Shading styles options.
Afterward, choose a variant from the Variants samples.
Consequently, click on the OK button.

Again, click on the OK option.

Further, using the Fill effects option, you will be able to change the background color.

How to Change Background Color with Conditional Formatting in Excel?

Now, we will apply conditional formatting to change the background color of several cells. From our dataset, we will change the background color of those cells whose value is less than $25,000.00. This is an easy and time-saving task also. Let’s follow the instructions below to learn!

Step 1:

First of all, select a cell range for the convenience of our work. Let’s say, we will select cells B4 to F14.
After that, from your Home ribbon, go to,

Home → Styles → Conditional Formatting → Highlight Cells Rules → Less Than

Step 2:

As a result, a Less Than dialog box will appear in front of you.
From the Less Than dialog box, firstly, type $25,000.00 under the Format cells that are LESS THAN typing box.
Secondly, select a color from the drop-down box named with. We select Light Red Fill with Dark Red Text.
At last, press the OK option.

After completing the above process, you will be able to change the background color.

How to Remove Cell Colors, Patterns, or Fill Effects in Excel?

You can remove the background colors, patterns, or fill effects of cells. To do just select the cells from where you want to remove the background colors, patterns, or fill effects. From our dataset, we select cells B4 to F14. After that, select the Fill Color feature from the Home ribbon. Hence, select the No Fill feature.

Notes:

The other way is to select cells and then press the Alt + H + H + N buttons one after one to remove the background colors, patterns, or fill effects of cells.

Download Practice Workbook

Download this practice workbook for practice while you are reading this article.

[While changing the default background color please download the below workbook]

Change Default Background Color.xlsm

[While changing the background color please download the below workbook]

Change Background Color.xlsx

Things to Remember

Changing the default background color only affects new workbooks or documents that you create. Existing workbooks or documents will not be affected.
The default background color applies to all worksheets in a workbook. You cannot set different default background colors for different worksheets.
To change the default background color, you must create a new workbook or open an existing one and then select the Page Layout tab.
Always remember to save your default background color settings for future use by selecting Save Current Theme from the Colors drop-down menu.
If you want to go back to the original default background color, you can select the option to Reset to Theme Defaults from the Colors drop-down menu.
Changing the default background color is just one of many formatting options available in Excel. You can also change the font, font size, cell borders, and number formatting to customize your worksheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I change the default background color in Excel?

To change the default background color in Excel, you can create a new workbook or open an existing one, and then select the Page Layout tab. Next, click on the Colors drop-down menu and choose the color you want as your new default background color. Finally, select Set as Default Theme from the Colors drop-down menu.

2. Will changing the default background color affect any existing workbooks or documents in Excel?

No, changing the default background color in Excel will not affect any existing workbooks or documents. It will only apply to new workbooks or documents that you create.

3. What other formatting options can I change in Excel besides the default background color?

In addition to changing the default background color, you can also change other formatting options in Excel such as font, font size, cell borders, and number formatting. These options can be found in the Home tab and the Format Cells dialog box.

Conclusion

I hope all of the suitable examples mentioned above to change the default background color will now provoke you to apply them in your Excel spreadsheets with more productivity. You are most welcome to feel free to comment if you have any questions or queries.

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