Formatting a Worksheet - XI

Convert Text to Columns
Sometimes you will want to split data in one cell into two or more cells.  You can do this easily by utilizing the Convert Text to Columns Wizard.

• Highlight the column in which you wish to split the data
• Click the Text to Columns button on the Data tab
• Click Delimited if you have a comma or tab separating the data, or click fixed widths to set the data separation at a specific size. 

Modify Fonts
Modifying fonts in Excel will allow you to emphasize titles and headings. To modify a font:

• Select the cell or cells that you would like the font applied
• On the Font group on the Home tab, choose the font type, size, bold, italics, underline, or color

Format Cells Dialog Box
In Excel, you can also apply specific formatting to a cell. To apply formatting to a cell or group of cells:

• Select the cell or cells that will have the formatting
• Click the Dialog Box arrow on the Alignment group of the Home tab

There are several tabs on this dialog box that allow you to modify properties of the cell or cells. 

Number:  Allows for the display of different number types and decimal places
Alignment:  Allows for the horizontal and vertical alignment of text, wrap text, shrink text, merge cells and the direction of the text.
Font:  Allows for control of font, font style, size, color, and additional features
Border:  Border styles and colors
Fill:  Cell fill colors and styles

Add Borders and Colors to Cells
Borders and colors can be added to cells manually or through the use of styles.  To add borders manually:

• Click the Borders drop down menu on the Font group of the Home tab
• Choose the appropriate border

To apply colors manually:

• Click the Fill drop down menu on the Font group of the Home tab
• Choose the appropriate color

To apply borders and colors using styles:

• Click Cell Styles on the Home tab
• Choose a style or click New Cell Style

Change Column Width and Row Height
To change the width of a column or the height of a row:

• Click the Format button on the Cells group of the Home tab
• Manually adjust the height and width by clicking Row Height or Column Width
• To use AutoFit click AutoFit Row Height or AutoFit Column Width

Hide or Unhide Rows or Columns
To hide or unhide rows or columns:

• Select the row or column you wish to hide or unhide
• Click the Format button on the Cells group of the Home tab
• Click Hide & Unhide

Merge Cells
To merge cells select the cells you want to merge and click the Merge & Center button on the Alignmentgroup of the Home tab.  The four choices for merging cells are:

Merge & Center: Combines the cells and centers the contents in the new, larger cell
Merge Across: Combines the cells across columns without centering data
Merge Cells: Combines the cells in a range without centering
Unmerge Cells: Splits the cell that has been merged

Align Cell Contents
To align cell contents, click the cell or cells you want to align and click on the options within the Alignmentgroup on the Home tab.  There are several options for alignment of cell contents:

Top Align:  Aligns text to the top of the cell
Middle Align:  Aligns text between the top and bottom of the cell
Bottom Align:  Aligns text to the bottom of the cell
Align Text Left:  Aligns text to the left of the cell
Center:  Centers the text from left to right in the cell
Align Text Right:  Aligns text to the right of the cell
Decrease Indent:  Decreases the indent between the left border and the text
Increase Indent:  Increase the indent between the left border and the text
Orientation:  Rotate the text diagonally or vertically