Borders

Excel also permits us to create lines in the borders or sides of the cells.

To change the appearence of the data in our calculation sheet by adding borders, follow the following steps:

Select the cell range that we want modify the aspect of.

Drop down the Format menu.

Select the Cells... option.

Clic on the Borders tab.

The dialog box seen on the right will appear.

Select the desired options from the box.

Once all the desired aspects have been selected click on OK.

When selecting any option, an example of how it will appear is shown in the Border box.

Next we will explain the the various options in this box to you:

Presets: We select from one of the following options:

None: To remove any border from the selected cells.

Outline: To create a border only around the selected cells.

Inside: To create a border around all the cells apart from the ones selected.

Border: This box is often used when none of the preset buttons serve us. Depending on the border to put or to remove (top, bottom,left,...) click on the corresponding button. BE AWARE!! When using the preset buttons the border will be the style and color that was selected, in case of selecting another aspect for the border, we firstly need to select Style and Color, and then click on the border to place.

Style: A line style is selected from the list.

Color: The active color by defect is Automatic, but by clicking on the arrow to the right we can select a colour for the borders.

In the toolbox we have a button available that permits us to modify the borders in a quick and efficient manner.

If we click on the button it will insert a border the same as it is represented. In case of wanting another, select it from the arrow to the right of the button. Here you will not find all of the options seen from the menu box.

To practice these operations we recommend you perform the Borders Exercise.

Patterns

Excel also allows us to shade the cells in a sheet to mark them apart from the rest. For this follow the following steps:

Select the range of cells that we want to change the aspect of.

Drop down the Format menu.

Select the Cells... option.

Clic on the Patterns tab.

The screen seen to the right will appear.

Select the desired options from the box.

Once you have selected all of the desired aspects, click on OK.

On selecting any option, the Sample box will display a model of how the selection will remain in the cell.

Next we will explain the various options availible in the box.

Color: The determined background color is selected from the list. In order to remove the effect of the shadow you only need to select No color.

Pattern: A pattern style is selected from the drop down list, as in the pattern color.

In the toolbar we have availible a button that permits us to modify the shade in a quicker manner:

If we clic on the button, the cell will be coloured the colour indicate within it, in our case yellow. In case of wanting a different colour, we can select it from the arrow to the right of the button. Here you may not add pattern to the cell, for this you will need to use the Format cells dialogue box.

To practice these operations we recommend you perform the Pattern exercise.

If you want to continue with this unit go to the next page...

Page. 6.3