Google Sheets Alternate Row Color

What Is Google Sheets Alternate Row Color?

Google sheets alternate row color, as the name suggests, is the method to highlight alternative rows in different colors. By doing this, we can improve the presentation of the data and highlight the values in the data with alternative colors.

For example, consider the below table showing sample and sales in column A and B respectively.

Google-Sheets-Alternate-Row-Color-Definition

Now, let us use the Google sheets alternate row color option to highlight the table.

To start with, insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is in the cell range A1:B5. Next, select the data in the cell range A1:B5. Now, click on Format and click on Alternating Colors option. The Alternating Colors tab appears on the right end of the screen.

Select the desirable color option from the tab. In this example, let us select yellow color. We will be able to see the table in alternating colors as shown in the below image.

Google-Sheets-Alternate-Row-Color-Definition-1

In this article, let us learn how to highlight table with alternating colors in Google sheets with detailed examples.

Key Takeaways
  • Google sheets highlight alternating colors option helps users highlight their data in alternative colors.
  • We can include or remove the header and footer while adding alternating colors to the table in Google sheets.
  • There are four options to highlight alternating colors. They are:
    • Using Conditional Formatting
    • Using Built-In Color Schemes
    • Using Custom Formulas
    • Alternate Row Color (Dynamic Range)
  • Remember, we can remove the alternating colors using Format > Clear Formatting option.

How To Add Alternate Row Color In Google Sheets?

The steps to add alternate colors in Google sheets are:

Step 1: To start with, insert the data in the spreadsheet.

Step 2: Next, select the data or the cell range.

Step 3: Now, click on Format and click on Alternating Colors option. Go to the next step.

Step 4: The Alternating Colors tab appears on the right end of the screen.

Select the desirable color option from the tab. In this example, let us select yellow color.

We will be able to see the table in alternating colors.

Likewise, we can highlight data in Google sheets with alternating colors.

Examples

Let us look at the following examples.

Example #1 – Using Conditional Formatting

For example, consider the below table showing region and sales in column A and B respectively.

Google-Sheets-Alternate-Row-Color-Example-1

Now, let us use the Google sheets alternate row color option to highlight the table using conditional formatting.

The steps are:

Step 1: To start with, insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is in the cell range A1:B5.

Step 2: Next, select the data in the cell range A1:B5.

Step 3: Now, click on Format and click on Conditional Formatting option.

Example-1-Step-3

Step 4: The Conditional Format rules tab appears on the right end of the screen.

Under Format rules, select Custom Formula is under Format cells if option.

Example-1-Step-4

Enter the formula and click on the Done option as shown in the below image.

Example-1-Step-4-1

We can see the table is highlighted immediately, as shown in the below image.

Example-1-Step-4-2

Likewise, we can highlight data in Google sheets with alternating colors using conditional formatting option.

Example #2 – Using Built-In-Color Schemes

Let us use the same example we used in Example 1. Consider the below table showing region and sales in column A and B respectively.

Google-Sheets-Alternate-Row-Color-Example-2

Now, let us use the Google sheets alternate row color option to highlight the table using built-in color schemes.

The steps are:

Step 1: To start with, insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is in the cell range A1:B5.

Step 2: Next, select the data in the cell range A1:B5. Go to the next step.

Step 3: Now, click on Format and click on Alternating Colors option.

Example-2-Step-3

Step 4: The Alternating Colors tab appears on the right end of the screen.

Select the desirable color option from the tab. In this example, let us select orange color.

Example-2-Step-4

We will be able to see the table in alternating colors as shown in the below image.

Example-2-Step-4-1

Likewise, we can highlight data in Google sheets with alternating colors using built-in color scheme.

Example #3 – Using Custom Formulas

For example, consider the below table showing sample and sales in column A and B respectively.

Google-Sheets-Alternate-Row-Color-Example-3

Now, let us use the Google sheets alternate row color option to highlight the table using custom formulas.

The steps are:

Step 1: To start with, insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is in the cell range A1:B5.

Step 2: Next, select the data in the cell range A1:B5. Go to the next step.

Step 3: Now, click on Format and click on Conditional Formatting option.

Example-3-Step-3

Step 4: The Conditional formatting rules tab appears on the right end of the screen.

Under Format rules, select Custom Formula is under Format cells if option.

Example-3-Step-4

Enter the formula and click on the Done option as shown in the below image.

Example-3-Step-4-1

We will be able to see the table in alternating colors as shown in the below image.

Example-3-Step-4-2

Likewise, we can highlight data in Google sheets with alternating colors using custom formulas.

Example #4 – Alternate Row Color (Dynamic Range)

Let us use the same example we used in Example 3.

For example, consider the below table showing sample and sales in column A and B respectively.

Google-Sheets-Alternate-Row-Color-Example-4

Now, let us use the Google sheets alternate row color option to highlight the table using custom formulas for dynamic range.

To use this method, we will need a dynamic range.

To create a dynamic range, simply click on Data and click on Named Ranges. The Named Ranges tab appears. Here, enter a desired name and click on Done.

Google-Sheets-Alternate-Row-Color-Example-4-1

Now, using the conditional formatting method, we can add alternative row color in Google sheets. The steps are:

Step 1: To start with, insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is in the cell range A1:B5.

Step 2: Next, select the data in the cell range A1:B5. Go to the next step.

Step 3: Now, click on Format. Click on Conditional Formatting option.

Step 4: The Conditional formatting rules tab appears on the right end of the screen.

Under Format rules, select Custom Formula is under Format cells if option.

Enter the formula and click on the Done option.

We will be able to see the table in alternating colors as shown in the below image.

Example-4-Step-4

Likewise, we can highlight data in Google sheets with alternating colors using custom formulas.

Benefits Of Using Google Sheets Alternate Row Colors

  1. Users can use highlight alternating colors in Google sheets option to present data which is readable and organized.
  2. As mentioned before, this option helps users organize huge set of data.
  3. It helps in the overall visual appearance and enables users to take decisions with ease.

Important Things To Note

  1. Google sheets highlight alternating row colors can highlight any data with or without headers and footers.
  2. Remember, to select the data before applying alternating colors.
  3. If not, we can select the cell range in the Data Range option found in the Alternating colors tab.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Explain Google sheets Alternating colors method with an example.

For example, consider the below table showing sample and sales in column A and B respectively.

FAQ-1

Now, let us use the Google sheets alternate row color option to highlight the table.
The steps are:
1: To start with, insert the data in the spreadsheet. In this example, the data is in the cell range A1:B5.
2: Next, select the data in the cell range A1:B5.
3: Now, click on Format and click on Alternating Colors option.
4: The Alternating Colors tab appears on the right end of the screen.
Select the desirable color option from the tab. In this example, let us select yellow color.
We will be able to see the table in alternating colors as shown in the below image.

FAQ-1-Step-4

Likewise, we can highlight data in Google sheets with alternating colors.

2.How to highlight table without formulas or conditional formatting?

We can highlight table in alternating colors without formulas or conditional formatting using the inbuilt color schemes method.
Simple, select the data and click on Format > Alternating colors and choose a color of choice in the given set of options in the Alternating colors tab.

3. How to remove highlight alternating colors in the table?

Users can remove alternating colors highlight in Google sheets by simply clicking on Format > Clear Formatting.
Note that all the formatting such as highlight alternating colors, including Bold, Italic and background colors if added will also be removed.

Download Template

This article must help understand Google Sheets Alternate Row Color with its formulas and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.

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