Excel’s AUTO FORMAT Option

Formatting is a tedious task. It’s really hard to format your data every time when you present it to someone.

But, this is the only thing which makes your data more meaning full and easy to consume.

It would be great if you have an option which you can use to format your data without spending much time.

So, when it comes to Excel, you have an amazing option which can help you to format your data in no time.

Its name is AUTO FORMAT.

In auto format, you have numbers of pre-designed formats which you can apply on your data instantly.

All you have to do just select a format and click OK to apply. It’s simple and easy.

In all the pre-designed formats you have all the important components of formatting, like:

So today, in this post, you will learn about this amazing option which can help you to save your ton of time in coming days.

Where to Find Auto Format Option?

If you check Excel 2003 version, auto format option is there on the menu. But, with the release of 2007 with ribbon this option is not available in any of the tabs.

That doesn’t mean you can’t use it in earlier versions. It’s still there, but hidden. So, to use it in the Excel versions like 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016 you need to add it to your Excel’s quick access toolbar.

It’s a one-time setup so you don’t have to do it again and again.

To add auto format to your quick access toolbar please follow these steps.

• First of all, go to your quick access toolbar and click on the small down arrow from the end point of the toolbar.

• And, when you click on it, you will get a drop down menu.

• From this menu, click on “More Commands”.

• Once you click on it, it will open “Customize the Quick Access Toolbar” in excel options.
• From here, click on “Choose commands from” drop-down and select “Commands Not in the Ribbon”.

• After that, come to the list of commands you have right below this drop-down.
• And, select “Auto Format” option and add it to quick access toolbar.

Now, you have the auto format icon in your quick access toolbar.

Applying formats with auto format option is super simple. Let’s say you want to format below data table.

Download this file from here to follow along and follow below steps to format the table.

• Select any of the cells from your data.

• Go to quick access toolbar and click on auto format button.

• Now, you have a window, where you have different data formats.
• Select one of them and click OK.

• Once you click OK, it will instantly apply your chosen format on the data.

As I mention above, all the formats in the auto format are a combination of 6 different components. And, you can also add or remove these components from each format before applying it.

Let’s say, you want to add formatting on below data table but without changing its font style and column width.

You need to apply formatting using below steps.

• And, click OK.

Now, both of the components is not there in your formatting.

Well, to remove formatting from data the best way is to use a shortcut key Alt + H + E + F. But you can also use the auto format option to remove formatting from your data.

• Select your entire data and open auto format.
• Go to last in the format list where you have a “None” format.

• Select it and click OK.

• Auto format is not able to recognize if you already have some formatting on your data. It will ignore it and apply new formatting as per the format you have selected.
• You need at least 2 cells to apply formatting with auto format option.

Auto format is a time saver tool when you don’t want to put your time and efforts on formatting you can use it.

It’s quick and simple. It’s all 16 formats are suitable for different types of data, from accounting to list, tables to reports.

I hope it will help you save your a lot of time in formatting.

Now, I have a question for you. Have you ever used this tool before? What do you think about it? Do you think it will help you to save your time? Please share your views in the comment box. I would love to hear from you.

And, please don't forget to share with me in the comment section.

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