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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.
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
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.