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How to shade every other row in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Conditional formattingExcel & Google Sheets
=MOD(ROW(),2)=0✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Product | Sales |
| Apples | 120 |
| Bananas | 85 |
| Cherries | 200 |
| Dates | 60 |
=MOD(ROW(),2)=0→FALSE
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Step by step
- 1Select the entire data range, e.g. A1:D20.
- 2Open Conditional Formatting and add a new 'Use a formula' rule.
- 3Enter =MOD(ROW(),2)=0 and pick your shading color. This highlights even-numbered rows. For odd rows use =MOD(ROW(),2)=1.
Tips
- In Excel you can also use Table styles (Ctrl+T) which apply banding automatically without needing a manual formula rule.
Working on a sheet you inherited? Run the Auditor on the whole file first — it flags every #REF!, #N/A, broken column pattern, and inconsistent formula in seconds, free, no signup.
Frequently asked
How do I start the shading on the first data row, not the header?
If your header is in row 1, use =MOD(ROW()-1,2)=1 so that row 2 (the first data row) is shaded and alternates from there.
More on Conditional formatting
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How to highlight duplicate values
Highlight duplicate cells automatically with Conditional Formatting using a COUNTIF rule — no formulas to copy manually.
How-toHow to highlight cells greater than a value
Use Conditional Formatting with a simple greater-than rule to automatically color cells that exceed a threshold value.
How-toHow to highlight the highest value in a range
Color the maximum value in a range automatically using a Conditional Formatting rule based on the MAX function.
How-toHow to highlight the lowest value in a range
Color the minimum value in a range using a Conditional Formatting rule built on the MIN function.
How-toHow to highlight blank cells
Use conditional formatting with ISBLANK to automatically highlight empty cells in your spreadsheet for easy visual identification.
How-toHow to highlight cells that contain specific text
Use conditional formatting with SEARCH or ISNUMBER(SEARCH()) to highlight any cell containing a specific word or phrase automatically.