How to Format Slicer in Excel (7 Common Options)

Excel Slicer allows you to present your data visually appealing and easy to understand. Slicer is a powerful feature in Excel that only filters data and presents the required data.  With Slicer, one can quickly analyze large amounts of data and make crucial decisions. Formatting your Slicer can enhance readability and usability. For instance, you can edit the size, shape, color, font, and styles of your slicers to make them more prominent. In this article, we will learn how to format the Slicer in Excel.

We created a customized Slicer changing its header, columns, and Slicer style in the above image. In this article, we determine to construe 7 common options to format the Slicer in Excel.

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To practice, please download the Excel Workbook from the link below.

What Is Slicer in Excel?

In Excel, a slicer is a feature that allows you to filter the information you’re working with. It displays all potential values from a specified column of your data, and each value appears as a separate button within the slicer. Navigate the active filtering of your data set using the buttons. Users can use Slicer once converting the dataset into Excel Table as well as Excel Pivot Table.

Creating a Table or Pivot Table allows you to insert Slicer in Excel. In addition, to learn the use of the Slicer feature in Excel, check out the embedded link.

How to Format Slicer in Excel: 7 Common Options

Here we are considering a dataset containing Order Date, Customer, Product, and Sales (USD) to expound on the Slicer formatting in Excel. However, we must convert the dataset into Excel Table or Pivot Table to format the Slicer.

1. Edit or Remove Slicer Header

Generally, we use the Slicer to filter our required data. We can change, edit or remove the Slicer header even if the Table header differs. Here, we named the Slicer header ‘Client’ whereas the table header is ‘Customer’.

To change the Slicer header, first, select the Slicer box >> go to the Slicer tab >> Edit the Slicer Caption.

2. Change Slicer Style in Excel

One can change the Slicer style according to his/her requirement. To change the Slicer style, select the Slicer box >> go to the Slicer tab >> select the design from the Slicer Style option.

3. Edit Font Size to Format Slicer

Not only the cell style you can also edit font size and color using the Slicer option. To do so first we need to duplicate a style from the Slicer Style and modify it accordingly.

To duplicate Slicer Style, select the Slicer box >> go to the Slicer tab >> click on a design from the Slicer Style >> Right-click on Mouse to get the Context menu >> Select Duplicate from the Context menu.

After creating a Duplicate Slicer style, we intend to modify it as we are likely to change the font style. First, we rename the style from the Name field. Then click on the Format button.

Thus, the Formal Slicer Element pop-up box appears. From the Font tab, select font = Ariel, font style = Bold Italic, and Size = 11. Finally hit the OK button.

Therefore, we obtain the final outcome having Bold Italic Aerial font along with 11 sizes.

4. Add or Remove Border from Slicer

Just like the font editing, you can add or remove border style. To do so, again go to the Border menu of the Format Slicer Element pop-up box >> select Line style, color, presets >> hit the OK button.

Therefore, we get an Orange color Outline border.

5. Format Slicer Buttons in Excel

Like Editing font size, we can also change the Slicer Button and its size by pressing a click only.

To format the Slicer buttons, select the Slicer box >> go to the Slicer tab >> edit from the Slicer Button and Size sections.

6. Get Multiple Columns in Slicer Box

If you are likely to change one Slicer column into two or multiple columns. You can do it from the Columns field of the Button section.

To convert into multiple columns, select the Slicer box >> go to the Slicer tab >> edit from the Columns field. Here, we have set 2 there to get 2 columns, you can set any other number to get that many columns.

7. Lock Slicer Position

You probably noticed that the Slicer box position changes with a change in the column width. From the Right-side pane, you can lock the Slicer position.

To lock the Slicer box, first, select the Slicer box >> a Right-side pane appears >> select Don’t move or size with Cells option from the Properties list.

Excel Slicers Vs. Pivot Table Filters

Slicers and Pivot Table filters essentially accomplish the same thing: they reveal specific information while suppressing others. And each strategy has perks as well as drawbacks:

• The Pivot Table filters are a little clunky. Filtering a pivot table is as simple as clicking a button using slicers.
• Filters are bound to a single Pivot Table, whereas slicers can be linked to numerous Excel Tables, Pivot Tables, and charts.
• Filters are tied to certain rows and columns. Slicers are free-floating objects that can be moved about.
• Pivot Table filters might not function properly on touch displays. Slicers work well in many touchscreen contexts, with the exception of Excel mobile (including Android and iOS), which does not fully support this functionality.
• Slicers use considerably greater worksheet space than Pivot Table report filters.
• VBA makes it simple to automate pivot table filters. Automating slicers needs slightly more expertise and effort.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

1. How do I customize my slicer list in Excel?

First, click on the slicer box >> go to the Slicer tab from the Top Ribbon >> Select your required design from the Slicer Styles group.

2. How to Insert Slicer without Pivot Table in Excel?

You can insert the Slicer into an Excel Table. To insert Slicer into an Excel Table, select the Excel Table >> go to the Table Design tab >> Click the Insert Slicer button.

3. How do I change the appearance of a slicer in Excel?

You can change the appearance of a Slicer from the Slicer Styles group. To change appearance, initially click on the slicer box >> go to the Slicer tab from the Top Ribbon >> Select your required design from the Slicer Styles group.

📄 Important Notes

🖊️  One must create Excel Table or Pivot Table to format Slicer in Excel.

🖊️  Duplication of the Slicer Style is required to modify the font and border style.

🖊️  Locking the Slicer position prevents moving the Slicer with respect to column width.

📝 Takeaways from This Article

📌  Renaming the Slicer header from the Slicer Caption.

📌  Changing the Slicer design from the Slicer Style.

📌  Duplicating and modifying the Slicer Style.

📌  Editing the font size of the Slicer.

📌  Adding, removing, and changing the border style of the Slicer.

📌  Formatting the Slicer buttons considering requirements.

📌  Converting a column into multiple columns in a Slicer.

📌  Locking the position of Slicer from the Properties list of the Right-side pane.

Conclusion

We concisely illustrate 7 common options for how to format Slicer in Excel. I hope you enjoyed your learning and will be able to format the Slicer in Excel. Any suggestions including queries are appreciated. Don’t hesitate to leave your thoughts in the comment section.