How to Stop Cell Coloring

Removing the background color on spreadsheet makes text more readable.

A spreadsheet is divided into individual cells that are used to manage data. In Microsoft Excel and OpenOffice Calc, cells are unfilled (uncolored) by default. The default background color of cells in Google Spreadsheets is white. Sometimes, cells containing headings, sub-headings and totals are colored to make them more distinct. You may want to revert to the default colors, however, to start fresh or to make text easier to read on a page.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Excel
• OpenOffice Cal
• Google Spreadsheets

Instructions

Microsoft Excel

1. Highlight the shaded cell(s) on your spreadsheet.

2. Click the "Home" tab. Select the "Fill Color" button from the "Font" group.

3. Click the "No Fill" option.

OpenOffice Calc

1. Highlight the shaded cell(s) on your spreadsheet.

2. Select "Format" and "Cells" from the menu.

3. Click the "Background" tab in the "Format Cells" dialog box.

4. Select the "No Fill" option and click "OK."

Google Spreadsheets

1. Highlight the shaded cell(s) on your spreadsheet.

2. Click the "Text background color" button in the toolbar to expand it.

3. Select white from the color palette.

References

• Microsoft Office: Basic Tasks in Excel 2010
• "Beginning OpenOffice 3: From Novice to Professional"; Andy Channelle; 2008
• Google Docs: Applying Conditional Formatting Rules