Excel - 3 Methods to Shade Every Other Row

Posted on: 07/05/2022

Highlighting or shading every other row in Excel is a great way to make your data easier to read. I'll show three methods for applying color to alternate rows.

Shade every other row in Excel — **Share every other row in Excel**

Method 1 is my least favorite, but I see users doing this a lot. Method 2 is one of my favorite features in Excel, but for the most control, use method 3. Method 3 is Conditional Formatting and I use the MOD Function and the ROW function. The MOD function returns the remainder of one number divided by another. The ROW function tells you what row you are in.

YouTube Video

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
00:22 Method 1
00:47 Method 2
01:27 Method 3
05:27 Closing

Method 1 - Manually select every other row

This is my least favorite method. Use the CTRL key to select every other row. It is time comsuming and if you want your data, it will be incorrect.

Recent Word articles

Method 2 - Create a Table

Convert your range to a Table in Excel. CTRL + T is the shortcut key or use the Home Tab, and Styles group and the command Format as Table.

Tables are a great feature in Excel.

**Format as Table in Excel - Shade every other row**

Method 3 - Use Conditional Formatting

Method 3 is Conditional Formatting and I use the MOD Function and the ROW function. The MOD function returns the remainder of one number divided by another. The ROW function tells you what row you are in.

MOD Examples:

=MOD(7,2) will return 1. Seven divided by 2 is 3 with 1 remaining.
=MOD(7,3) will return 1. Seven divided by 3 is 2 with 1 remaining.
=MOD(7,4) will return 3. Seven divided by 4 is 1 with 3 remaining.
=MOD(4,2) will return 0. Four divided by 2 is 2 with 0 remaining.

ROW Examples:

=ROW(A7) will return 7
=ROW(D6) will return 6.
=ROW() will return 3, if you are in row 3 will return 3.

**MOD and ROW functions in Conditional Formatting**

Recent Excel articles

Mastering Excel Slicers: A Comprehensive Guide

Excel slicers are powerful tools that enhance data filtering in Microsoft Excel, making it easier to visualize and analyze your data. In this blog, we will explore how to create and effectively use slicers, as well as their advantages and limitations in comparison to traditional filters.

Mastering Loan Amortization: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Comparing Loans

In today's ever-changing financial landscape, understanding loan amortization is crucial for anyone considering a major purchase, particularly a home. With recent changes in interest rates, it's more important than ever to grasp how loan amortization works and how to compare different loan options.

Analyzing 50+ Years of Mortgage Rates in Excel: Insights and Trends

Understanding mortgage rates is crucial for anyone looking to buy a home or refinance their existing mortgage. In this comprehensive analysis, we'll dive deep into over 50 years of mortgage rate data using Microsoft Excel. We'll explore historical trends, calculate key statistics, and examine how changes in interest rates impact monthly payments.

Social Security - Breakeven point in Years using Excel

Calculate SSA breakeven in years. The break-even point represents when the cumulative benefits even out. Comparing 62 to 67, you have been collecting money for 60 months.

Chris Menard

Chris Menard is a Microsoft Trainer (MCT) and works as a full-time Trainer at BakerHostetler - one of the largest law firms in the US. Chris runs a YouTube channel with 900+ technology videos that cover various tools such as Excel, Word, Zoom, Teams, Gmail, Copilot, Google Calendar, and Outlook. To date, the channel has helped over 20 million viewers. Menard also does 2 to 3 public speaking events yearly, presenting at the Administrative Professional Conference (APC), the EA Ignite Conference, the University of Georgia, and CPA conferences. You can connect with him on LinkedIn at https://chrismenardtraining.com/linkedin or watch his videos on YouTube at https://chrismenardtraining.com/youtube.