Edit & format a spreadsheet
You can add data to a spreadsheet, then edit or format the cells and data.
How to edit & format a spreadsheet in Google Sheets
Edit data in a cell
- Open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
- Click a cell that’s empty, or double-click a cell that isn’t empty.
- Start typing.
- Optional: To add another line within a cell, press ⌘ + Enter on a Mac or Ctrl + Enter on Windows.
- When you’re 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
Undo - 👁 Redo
Redo - 👁 Bold
Bold - 👁 Italic
Italic - 👁 Strikethrough
Strikethrough - Change font or font size
- 👁 Color text
Change text color - 👁 Fill color
Change cell fill color- Single color
- Alternating colors
- 👁 Borders
Change cell borders- 👁 Border color
Change border color - 👁 Border style
Change border style
- 👁 Border color
- 👁 Merge cells
Merge cells - Change horizontal text alignment
- Change vertical text alignment
- Rotate text in a cell
- 👁 Wrap
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 👁 and then
Number. - From the menu that appears, select the format option you want.
- If the format option you want isn’t listed: At the bottom of the menu that appears, click custom options, such as "Custom date and time" and "Custom number format."
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 👁 and then
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.