How to Make Excel Look Pretty (16 Easy Formats)

If you want to make your Excel more visible and presentable, you must make the Excel look pretty. Although the main purpose of Excel is to calculate and present data, a pretty Excel can easily attract the attention of the reader. As a result, a pretty Excel is always desirable to the readers. Therefore, it is a prerequisite when you are presenting your Excel. In this article, we will demonstrate to you 16 easy formats that are helpful to make Excel look pretty. Let’s walk with us through this article to do the task smoothly.

How to Make Excel Look Pretty: 16 Formats

The following data table represents the Monthly Data of X Company. The Month, Employee Name, Total Assigned Leave, Leave Taken, and Salary are the column headings. You can see that Excel is not looking presentable, and is tough to read. Now, we will show you how to make Excel look pretty by using 16 formats. Here, we used Microsoft Office 365. You can use any available Excel version.

1. Starting Dataset from Cell B2

To make Excel look pretty, we should leave Column A and Row 1 from our dataset. When we start the dataset from cell B2, a distance is created on the left side and on the top of the dataset, which makes Excel more presentable.

Here, we will follow the simple steps to start our dataset from cell B2.

First of all, we will insert a new column so that the dataset shifts towards the right. Therefore, the starting column of the dataset will be Column B.

• To do so, we will select Column A and right-click on it.
• After that select Insert from the Context Menu.

This will insert a new column and shift the data toward the right.

You can also select Column A and use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+ PLUS(+) to insert a new column and shift the data toward the right.

As a result, you can see the data has been shifted toward the right leaving Column A, and now the starting column of the dataset is Column B.

Next, we will insert a new row so that the dataset shifts downward. Therefore, the starting row of the dataset will be Row1.

• Afterward, we will select Row 1 and right-click on it.

• Then, select Insert from the Context Menu.

This will insert a new row and shift the data downward.

You can also select Row 1 and use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+ PLUS(+) to insert a new row.

Then, you can see the data has been shifted downward leaving Row 1 and now the starting row of the dataset is Row 1.

Hence, the dataset is started from cell B2. you can easily notice the distance on the top and left sides of the dataset. This distance has made the dataset more presentable.

2. Keeping Row Height Constant to Make Excel Look Pretty

Here, we will keep a constant Row Height for the data table. If we set a larger Row Height than the default Excel Row Height, the cells of the dataset become larger making the dataset more visible. Therefore, a constant Row Height makes Excel look pretty.

We will go through the following steps to do the task.

• First, select the entire dataset.

If you have a small dataset like the following, you can select the entire dataset by using your mouse.

However, it is difficult to select the entire dataset through a mouse if you have a large dataset.

Therefore, a convenient way of selecting the entire dataset is to select the first cell and press CTRL+SHIFT+END.

• Here, we select cell B2 and press CTRL+SHIFT+END to select the entire dataset.

• At this point, go to the Home tab.
• Moreover, select Cells.
• Next, from Format group >> select Row Height.

A Row Height dialog box will appear.

• Then, set the Row Height as 20 by typing 20 in the Row Height box.
• Next, click OK.

As a result, you can easily notice that the cells of the dataset have become larger and more visible.

3. Adjusting Column Width

Here, we will set a constant Column Width for the cells. Setting a constant Column Width will make the cells wider. However, if the cells do not become wide enough, we can always adjust the Colum Width manually.

To do so, we will go through the following steps.

• In the beginning, we will select cell B2 and press CTRL+SHIFT+END to select the entire dataset.
• After that, go to the Home tab.
• Then, select Cells.
• Next, from Format group >> select Column Width.

A Column Width dialog box will appear.

• Then, type 10 in the Colum Width box.
• Next, click OK.

As a result, a constant Column Width has been set for the dataset.

However, some of the cell content can not fit in the cells with this Column Width. Therefore, we will manually expand the Column Width.

• To do so, we will double-click in between the Column line.
• Repeat the procedure for all the Columns that need adjustment.

As a result, you can see adjusted data in the cells.

4. Use of Merge and Center Feature to Make Excel Look Pretty

Here, the main heading of the dataset is presented in cell B2. Therefore, it is difficult to understand that it is the main hedging of the dataset. If the main heading is on the top of the dataset and remains at the center position, this will make Excel look pretty. To do so, Merge & Center is a handy feature.

Let’s follow the steps to do the task.

• First, select cell B2 and select cells C2, D2, E2, and F2 as well. As our dataset is spread from column B to F, we selected cells B2 to F2. Also, this will keep the main heading on the top of cells B2 to F2.
• After that, go to the Home tab.
• Next, from the Alignment group >> select Merge & Center.

Therefore, you can see the main heading on the top and center positions of the dataset.

5. Using Cell Styles Features for Main Heading

Here, we will add a Cell Style to the main heading to differentiate the main heading from the entire dataset. This will attract the reader easily and make Excel look pretty.

Let’s follow the steps to do the task.

• First of all, select the main heading >> go to the Home tab.
• Along with that, from Cell Styles >> select Heading 2.

As a result, you can see the main heading becomes more presentable.

6. Using Different Font Sizes for Main Heading, Column Heading, Cell Content

Here, we will use different Font Sizes for the main heading, column heading, and cell content. This will make a difference between the main heading, column heading, and cell content. As a result, the reader will easily understand the dataset. Hence, this will make Excel look pretty.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

In the beginning, we will set a Font Size for the main heading.

• To do so, we will select the main heading >> go to the Home tab.
• After that, in the Font Size box type 16.

You can select Font Size 16 by clicking on the downward arrow of the Font Size box and selecting 16.

As a result, you can see the Font Size of the main heading is set to 16.

Next, we will set a Font Size for the column headings.

• After that, we will select the column headings >> go to the Home tab.
• Afterward, in the Font Size box type 14.

You can select Font Size 14 by clicking on the downward arrow of the Font Size box and selecting 14.

As a result, you can see the Font Size of the column headings is set to 14.

Here, you can easily notice that the column headings can not be fixed in the cells. Therefore, we have to make the Column Width wider.

• To do so, we will double-click on the line between the columns. This will make the column wide and adjust the cell content in it.
• Repeat this process for all the columns that need adjustment.

After that, you can see the adjusted column headings in the cells.

However, we want to make the columns wider so that they do not look congested and become more readable.

• To do so, we will drag the column toward the right by holding and left-clicking. Drag the column until it looks enough and then release the left key of the mouse.
• We will repeat this process for every column to make them wider.

Hence, you can see the columns now become much wider, and the dataset looks more readable.

Afterward, we will set a Font Size for the cell content.

• Then, we will select the cells of the dataset >> go to the Home tab.
• After that, in the Font Size box type 12.

You can select Font Size 12 by clicking on the downward arrow of the Font Size box and selecting 12.

Therefore, you can see the Font Size of the cells of the dataset is set to 12.

Read More: How to Make Picture Background Transparent in Excel

7. Use of Eye-Catching Font Type to Make Excel Look Pretty

Here, by default Excel makes the Calibri font type for the data. However, the Arial font type looks more presentable. Therefore, we will use the Arial font type to make Excel look pretty.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• First of all, select the entire dataset along with the main heading >> go to the Home tab.
• After that, click on the downward arrow of the Font box.

Afterward, several Font types will appear.

• Next, scroll down to find out the Arial.
• Then, select Arial.

As a result, the dataset looks more presentable.

8. Applying Different Fill Colors for the Main Heading and Column Heading

Here, we will apply different Fill Colors in the main heading and column heading to create a difference.  This is because the color will make Excel look pretty.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

First, we will apply a Fill Color to the main heading.

• To do so, we will select the main heading >> go to the Home tab.
• Next, from the Font group >> click on the downward arrow of the Fill color.

After that, we will see several Fill Colors appear.

• Afterward, hover your mouse on different colors and you can see the preview.
• At this point, we selected Green, Accent 6, and Lighter 80% for our main heading. You can see the preview of the color on the main heading cell.

You can select any presentable color as Fill Color.

Moreover, we will apply a Fill Color to the column headings.

• Then, we will select the main heading >> go to the Home tab.
• Furthermore, from the Font group >> click on the downward arrow of the Fill color.

After that, we will see several Fill Colors appear.

• Afterward, hover your mouse on different colors and you can see the preview.
• At this point, we selected Green, Accent 6, and Lighter 60% for our column headings. You can see the preview of the color on the column headings cell.

You can select any presentable color as Fill Color.

Here, you can see after applying the Fill Color to the main heading and column headings, the dataset looks more presentable.

9. Use of Middle and Center Alignment to Make Excel Look Pretty

Here, for all the cells in the dataset, we will use the Middle and Center alignment. This will make the dataset more readable, therefore it will make Excel look pretty.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• First, select the entire dataset along with the main heading.

Although the main heading already has a center alignment, we will add a middle alignment to the main heading.

• After that, go to the Home tab.
• Next, from the alignment group >> select both the Middle and Center alignments.

As a result, the dataset looks more presentable.

10. Making Column Headings Bold

Here, we will make the column headings Bold to differentiate them from other cells. Therefore, it will make Excel look pretty.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• First of all, select the column headings >> go to the Home tab.
• Next, from Font group >> select Bold.

You can also select the column headings and press CTRL+B to Bold column headings.

Hence, you can see the column headings look more presentable.

11. Using Number Format

Here, the Salary column of a data table represents values in currency. However, there is no Currency symbol in the Salary column. As a result, the reader may get confused about whether the Salary column is presenting currency or not. Therefore, we will add the Currency format to the Salary column. Hence, it will make Excel look pretty.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• In the beginning, select the entire cells of the Salary column >> go to the Home tab.
• Moreover, from the Number group >> click on the downward arrow of the Number Format box.

As a result, several Number Formats will appear.

• At this point, select Currency.

Hence, you can see the Salary column has the Currency symbol in it.

Read More: How to Make Excel Spreadsheet Colorful

12. Adding Border to Make Excel Look Pretty

Here, we will add a Border to our dataset. This will create a territory for the dataset and the reader will easily notice the dataset in the Excel sheet.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• First of all, select the entire dataset excluding the main heading.
• Afterward, go to the Home tab.
• Next, from the Font group >> click on the downward arrow of the Borders box.

Then, several types of Borders will appear.

• At this point, select All Border.

You can choose any Border type which you think will make your Excel pretty.

As a result, you can see that the dataset looks more clear and more visible.

13. Use of Light Zebra Stripe

Here, to make Excel look pretty, we will use a light zebra stripe in our dataset. We will use the Conditional Formatting feature to do the task.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• First of all, select the dataset from cells B5:F11. Here, as the column headings already have Fill Color, we keep them out from adding zebra stripes.
• After that, go to the Home tab.
• Next, from the Styles group >> select Conditional Formatting.

• After that, from several formattings select New Rule.

Later, a New Formatting Rule dialog box will appear.

• At this point, from Select a Rule Type select Use a formula to determine which cells to format.
• Next, type the following formula in the Format values where this formula is true box.

• Along with that, click on Format.

After that, a Format Cells dialog box will appear.

• Next, from the Fill group >> select a Background Color.

Here, we selected light blue as our Background Color. You can choose any light color that looks presentable.

• Afterward, you can see the Sample of the color.
• Then, click OK.

Moreover, you can see the Preview of the color in the New Formatting Rule dialog box.

• At this point, click OK.

As a result, you can see a light blue stripe in the dataset. Therefore, the dataset is looking more presentable.

14. Removing Grid Lines to Make Excel Look Pretty

Here, we will remove the Gridlines from the Excel sheet to make Excel look pretty.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• First of all, go to the View tab.
• Then, in the Show group, you can see that Gridilines is marked.
• Next, we will unmark the Gridlines.

Hence, Excel looks cleaner and more visible.

15. Freeze the Column Heading

Here, we will Freeze the column headings. This is because if we scroll down we want to see the column headings of the dataset. In many situations, we have a larger dataset with a huge number of data. In this case, Freezing the first Column or Row is necessary.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• First, we will select cell B5.
• Furthermore, we will go to the View tab.
• After that, from the Freeze Panes group>> select Freeze Panes.

As a result, you can see the Row and Column before cell B5 gets frozen.

16. Use of Colorful Tabs in Workbook

Here, in the following picture, you can see that we have several worksheets in our workbook. Therefore, we will add different colors to the sheet name to make Excel look pretty.

Let’s go through the following steps to do the task.

• In the beginning, right-click on a Sheet Name.

Here, we right-clicked on the sheet named X Company.

• After that, select Tab Color from the Context Menu.
• Next, we select a color.

Here, we selected Blue color. You can select any color that looks presentable.

• In the same way, we selected colored tabs for sheets named Y Company and Z Company.

As a result, you can see that Excel is looking pretty.

💬 Things to Remember

• Make sure the Column Width is large enough to make your column wider. If, however, the columns still remain congested, you can always manually set a Column Width.
• If you choose a dark Fill Color for your main headings and column headings, make sure to choose a light Text Color. Otherwise, the Text will not be visible properly.
• Along with that, if you choose a light Fill Color for your main heading and column heading, keep the Text Color to a dark one.
• If you need, you can mark different cells with Text or Fill Color.
• Besides Arial, you can select any Font type for your dataset as long as they make Excel look pretty.
• If you have a large dataset, where you need to scroll down, you have to use Freeze Pane. Otherwise, for a small dataset, where you do not need to scroll down you should avoid adding Freeze Pane.

Practice Section

You can download the above Excel file and go to the Do Yourself sheet. After that, format the following dataset to make Excel look pretty.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the Excel file and practice while you are reading this article.

Conclusion

Here, we tried to show you 16 formats to make Excel look pretty. Thank you for reading this article, we hope this was helpful. If you have any queries or suggestions, please let us know in the comment section below.

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