Objective 3. Use AutoFormat

When you format data in a worksheet, choose a combination of formatsfonts, font sizes, font colors, emphasis, text alignment, and so onthat looks attractive together. Doing so will assist the reader in distinguishing the titles, data, and totals in the worksheet.

Excel has a set of predefined formats that already have attractive formatting in placethe AutoFormat feature. It is usually faster to apply an AutoFormat, and then customize it, if necessary, rather than applying single formats one by one.

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Activity 2.4. Formatting a Range of Cells Using AutoFormat

Because this worksheet will be posted on the staff bulletin board where the concession stand employees can see the schedule assignments, in this activity, you will apply an AutoFormat to make the worksheet easier to read. Applying distinctive formats visually identifies important ranges within a worksheet.

1.	Click in the Name Box, type a1:p9 and then press . Alternatively, select the range by dragging with your mouse. When working with a worksheet that extends beyond the visible window, it is usually faster to type the range in the Name Box rather than to select the range by draggingespecially if the window scrolls too fast to control it easily.
2.	From the Format menu, click AutoFormat. In the AutoFormat dialog box, scroll down and click the List 3 format. Compare your screen with Figure 2.10.   Figure 2.10. It is easier for a reader's eyes to follow down a column of information than it is to follow across a row of information. Thus, applying a format that differentiates the rows visually is useful. If you are using a black and white printer, select an AutoFormat with a minimal amount of color or shadingit will be easier to read.
3.	In the AutoFormat dialog box, click the Options button. Under Formats to apply, clear the Alignment check box, which will remove the centering format from the column titles.
4.	With all of the options except Alignment selected, in the AutoFormat dialog box, click OK, and then click in any empty cell to cancel the selection. Compare your screen with Figure 2.11.   Figure 2.11.
5.	In the Name Box, type c4:p9 and then press . Center the selected names, and then click any empty cell to cancel the selection.
6.	In the row heading area, drag the lower edge of row 1 downward to increase the row height to 45 pixels. Select rows 2:9 and increase the row height to 40 pixels. Click cell A1 and change the Font Size to 26. In the Name Box, type a2:p2 press , and then change the Font Size to 18.
7.	Select the range I3:I9, and then click the Borders button arrow . From the displayed menu, in the first row, click the fourth borderRight Border. Click any cell to cancel the selection, and then compare your screen with Figure 2.12.     Figure 2.12.
8.	Save your changes.

More Knowledge: Using Gridlines

When you use large worksheets, horizontal lines between rows make it easier for the reader to follow rows across and vertical lines make it easier to follow columns downward. An alternative to formatting a large range of cells with one of the AutoFormat options is to select the Gridlines option that provides a grid of horizontal and vertical lines. The Gridlines option is on the Sheet tab of the Page Setup dialog box.

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Objective 4 View, Scroll, and Print Large Worksheets