While Excel is a powerful tool for organizing data and performing complex calculations, it's easy to get lost in a sea of numbers and bland cells. At times, when you deal with large databases, your spreadsheets may look like a never-ending number factory. But they don't have to! With a few simple tweaks, you can transform your spreadsheets from drab to fab and impress your boss.

Whether you are a seasoned spreadsheet guru or just starting out, follow the tricks below to create clean, professional, and functional workbooks in no time.

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10 Explore the templates library

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Whether you want to create a budget, project tracker, invoice, calendar, or back-to-school planner, Excel offers a vast library of pre-designed templates for various purposes. These templates are created by professionals, and they already carry astute formatting, formulas, and even sample data to save you time and effort.

Instead of creating a new spreadsheet from scratch and dealing with endless formatting tweaks, make sure to explore the templates library first. A suitable template also ensures a consistent look and feel across your spreadsheets. Check out my separate post to find the top free templates for Excel.

9 Leave the first row and column empty

Leaving the first row and column empty is a proven trick to improve your spreadsheet's visual appeal and readability. It makes your data less cramped and easier on the eyes. I like how it creates a clear separation between the data and the worksheet edges.

If you have a large header at the top or an important column (showcasing product name or important title, for example), you can freeze it to improve readability while you scroll through your data.

Open your Excel workbook and click View at the top. Go to Freeze Panes and select Freeze first row or Freeze first column.

8 Use clear headings and labels

It's important to use clear, concise headings in the first populated row to identify what each column represents. Using confusing headers is like navigating a city without street signs or a map. Your labels should also provide specific identification for each row.

Also, make sure to maintain consistency in how you format your headings and labels (font, size, alignment, etc.). I have seen many using a middle alignment for some columns, and trust me, it's not easy on the eyes.

7 Remove cell borders

While those default gridlines in Excel might seem helpful, at times, they can actually make your spreadsheet look cluttered. You can create a cleaner, more professional appearance by removing those gridlines. Here's how to get the job done with a couple of clicks only.

Open your Excel workbook and go to the View tab at the top. Uncheck Gridlines option and enjoy a clear view.

I prefer how removing gridlines gives my spreadsheet a more modern and polished look, something that I often see in professional reports and dashboards.

6 Be mindful of color usage

Overdoing your spreadsheet with different colors can create a visual overload and distract you from data. You should stick to a limited color palette (2-3 main colors) to avoid the rainbow effect in your spreadsheet.

You should also ensure sufficient contrast between the background and text color for easy readability. Generally, dark text on a light background looks best. Excel is smart enough to suggest contrast when you hover the cursor on a shade from the color picker menu. You can avoid the ones with low contrast. Also, don't rely entirely on color to convey important information. You can use visual cues like bolding or icons as well.

5 Integrate tables and charts

Although raw Excel data has its place, presenting it in a visually engaging way can make a world of difference. This is where tables come in, leading to charts and pivot tables. They transform your dull numbers into compelling visuals that tell a story. Let me show you how to create a quick table with existing data.

Open your Excel sheet and select data. Go to Insert > Table. Select My table has headers checkmark and click OK.

Once your table is ready, explore bar, line, pie, or scatter charts to grasp key insights at a glance. They are available under the Insert > Charts menu.

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4 Hide unnecessary sheets

Hiding unnecessary worksheets keeps your workbook tidy, focused, and professional. Too many visible sheets can be overwhelming and make it difficult to find the information you need.

Open your Excel workbook and right-click on a sheet. Select Hide. Now you are all set to share your workbook with your boss and employees.

3 Include cell comments

Your boss or co-workers may not be familiar with all the features of Excel. Here is where cell comments come into play. Think of them as sticky notes that add explanations, clarifications, or additional information directly to specific cells. They are perfect for explaining, clarifying, or providing additional information directly to specific cells and providing background information.

Open an Excel workbook and right-click on a cell where you want to add a comment. Select Add note.

Write down your note, and you'll notice a small red arrow at the top of the cell. It indicates that the cell has a comment.

2 Explore the power of conditional formatting

Conditional formatting automates your Excel workbook like a pro. You can automatically apply formatting to cells based on conditions and rules. For example, you can highlight cells with values above or below a certain number, flag duplicate entries or errors, or even highlight deadlines for events. To learn more, check out my dedicated guide on using conditional formatting in Excel.

1 Add professional touches

Here are several other touches you can add to your workbook to make it tidy and functional.

Use hyperlinks to connect to external websites. Create drop-down lists to restrict data entry to a specific set of options Optimize your workbook for printing by adjusting page margins, orientation, and scaling. Utilize comments to communicate with collaborators and track changes.

Excel makeover

And there you have it! Master the tips above, and you will be on your way to creating Excel spreadsheets that are both professional and functional. After all, it's not just about making your sheets look pretty; it's about presenting your data clearly and making your work life easier (for yourself and others). If you often deal with large datasets in Excel, check out my top tricks to handle them like a pro.