Edit & format a spreadsheet
Want to get more out of Google Docs for work or school? Sign up for aGoogle Workspace trialat no charge.
You can add data to a spreadsheet, then edit or format the cells and data.
Edit data in a cell
- Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
- Click a cell thats empty, or double-click a cell that isnt empty.
- Start typing.
- Optional: To add another line within a cell, press + Enter on a Mac or Ctrl + Enter on Windows.
- When youre done, press Enter.
Format one or more cells
- Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
- Click a cell, then drag your mouse across nearby cells you want to select, or hold on a Mac or Ctrl on Windows and click another cell.
- To format text or numbers in a cell, use the options in the toolbar at the top.
Format your data
Here are some options for formatting your cells or text. You can find these options above the document.
- Undo
- Redo
- Bold
- Italic
- Strikethrough
- Change font or font size
- Change text color
- Change cell fill color
- Single color
- Alternating colors
- Change cell borders
- Change border color
- Change border style
- Merge cells
- Change horizontal text alignment
- Change vertical text alignment
- Rotate text in a cell
- Wrap text in a cell
To format part of the text or content in a cell, double-click the cell, select what you want to format, then select a formatting option.
Align & resize objects
Move an object anywhere you want or change its size. Lines will appear that show what it lines up with, equal space between objects, and when one object is the same size as another.
- Select the cell to be formatted.
- At the top, click Format Number.
- From the menu that appears, select the format option you want.
- If the format option you want isnt listed: At the bottom of the menu that appears, click custom options, such as "Custom date and time" and "Custom number format."
Learn more about formatting numbers in a spreadsheet.
Add a theme
You can apply changes to the format of an entire spreadsheet with themes.
- Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
- At the top, click Format Theme.
- Choose an available theme or click Customize to create your own.
Notes:
- If you create a custom theme, the most recent version will be saved.
- Colors from your current theme are available in the text and fill color pickers.
Parts of your spreadsheet affected by theme
- Text font and color of grid text, charts, and pivot tables
- Hyperlink color of grid text
- Chart background color
- Color of series in charts
- Pivot table background
Note: If you change the format of an item in your spreadsheet, it will override the theme.
Related links
- Use conditional formatting in a spreadsheet
- See the sum of cells in a spreadsheet
- Add formulas and functions to a spreadsheet
- Add a chart or graph to a spreadsheet
- Copy, re-order, and delete sheets
Computer AndroidiPhone & iPad
More