To turn off alternate shading in Excel, you typically need to adjust the settings of the formatting that applied it, which is often done using a Table or Conditional Formatting. If the alternate shading comes from an Excel Table's built-in styling, you can remove it by unchecking the "Banded Rows" or "Banded Columns" option.
Removing Alternate Shading from Excel Tables
When you format a range as an Excel Table (using Ctrl+T or the "Format as Table" option), Excel automatically applies banded rows or columns for readability. Turning this off is straightforward.
Steps to Remove Banded Shading from a Table:
- Select any cell within the Excel Table that has the alternate shading you want to remove.
- This will make the "Table Design" tab (or "Design" tab) appear on the Excel ribbon.
- Click on the "Table Design" tab.
- Look for the "Table Style Options" group on the left side of the ribbon.
- Under Style Options, remove the checkbox next to Banded Rows or Banded Columns.
This action instantly removes the alternate shading pattern applied by the table style.
Visual Guide to Table Style Options
| Option | Description | Action to Remove Shading |
|---|---|---|
| Banded Rows | Applies alternate shading to rows. | Uncheck |
| Banded Columns | Applies alternate shading to columns. | Uncheck |
| First Column | Special formatting for the first column. | N/A (Doesn't apply shading) |
| Last Column | Special formatting for the last column. | N/A (Doesn't apply shading) |
| Total Row | Special formatting for the total row. | N/A (Doesn't apply shading) |
| Header Row | Special formatting for the header row. | N/A (Doesn't apply shading) |
Note: The reference states, "To remove shading from rows or columns, under Style Options, remove the checkbox next to Banded Rows or Banded Columns." This directly corresponds to adjusting the built-in Table Style Options.
Removing Alternate Shading from Conditional Formatting
Sometimes alternate shading is applied using Conditional Formatting rules. This is often done on regular ranges (not formal Excel Tables).
Steps to Remove Conditional Formatting Shading:
- Select the range of cells that has the alternate shading applied by Conditional Formatting.
- Go to the "Home" tab on the ribbon.
- In the "Styles" group, click on "Conditional Formatting".
- Hover over "Clear Rules".
- Choose either "Clear Rules from Selected Cells" or "Clear Rules from Entire Sheet" depending on the scope of the formatting.
Caution: Clearing Conditional Formatting rules will remove ALL conditional formatting from the selected range or sheet, not just the alternate shading rules.
Alternate Shading Applied Manually
If the alternate shading was applied manually cell by cell, or row by row, using the standard fill color tool, the only way to remove it is to clear the formatting from those specific cells.
Steps to Remove Manual Shading:
- Select the cells or range containing the manual shading.
- Go to the "Home" tab on the ribbon.
- In the "Editing" group, click on the "Clear" button (it looks like an eraser).
- Select "Clear Formats".
This will remove all formatting (including fill color, font styles, borders, etc.) from the selected cells, leaving only the cell content.
By understanding how the alternate shading was applied (Table Style, Conditional Formatting, or Manual), you can use the appropriate method to turn it off effectively.
