How to Format an Excel Spreadsheet
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Updated: March 29, 2019
An Excel spreadsheet can be formatted in a variety of ways to perform a number of different tasks. Data can be organized and displayed to suit particular needs, and individual cells can be programmed to make specific calculations based on the data entered. Those calculations can then be inserted into graphical representations of the data, such as charts and graphs. This article provides examples on how to format an Excel spreadsheet to organize, calculate and analyze expenses.
Method1
Enter the Text for the Expense Tracking Spreadsheet
Method1
1Enter the text. Type the date into cell A2, "Groceries" in cell B3, "Gas" in cell B4, "Rent" in cell B5, "Utilities" in cell A6 and "Electric" in cell C6. Then type "Water/Sewage" in cell C7, "Phone" in cell C8, and "Cable/Internet" in cell C9.- Type "Auto Loan Payments" in cell B10, "Cell Phone" in cell B11 and "Entertainment" in cell A12. Type "Meals Out" in cell B12, "Movies" in cell B13, "Amount" in cell E2 and "Total" in cell E2. The text for the expense tracking spreadsheet has been entered.
Method2
Format the Expense Tracking Spreadsheet
Method2
1Format the cells and text. Select cells A2 through E2. Click the Merge and Center button on the Alignment toolbar. Click the Fill Bucket in the Font formatting toolbar and select "White, background 1, Darker 35%."- Select cells A3 through A5. Press and hold the control key on the computer keyboard and select cells A6 through B9, A10, A11, A12, B12, A13 and B13. Click the Fill Bucket in the Font formatting toolbar and select "White, background 1, Darker 50%."
- Select cells B3 through D3. Press and hold the control key on the computer keyboard and select cells B4 through D4, and B5 through D5. Continue to hold down the control button and select cells B10 through D10, and B11 through D11.
- Click the Fill Bucket in the Font formatting toolbar and select "White, background 1, Darker 50%." Click the Merge and Center button, and the right justify button in the Alignment menu on the toolbar.
- Select cells C6 through D6. Press and hold the control key and select cells C6 through D6, C7 through D7, C8 through D8, and C9 through D9. Click the Fill Bucket and select "White Background 1." With the cells still selected, click the Merge and Center button, and the right justify button in the Alignment menu on the toolbar. Shading and merged cells have been formatted.
2Program the "Total" cell to add the totals for each category. Click in cell E13 and click the AutoSum button in the editing menu on the far right of the standard toolbar. Select cells E3 through E13 and select the Currency button ($) in the Number formatting menu on the standard toolbar. Numbers entered into the fields for each category will be displayed as a monetary value, and the total will appear at the bottom of the table. The expense tracking sheet has been formatted.
Method3
Create an Excel Pie Chart to Display Expenses
Method3
1Create a pie chart. Click the Insert tab on the standard toolbar and click the Pie button. A blank chart will appear in the application window. Click and drag the blank chart to the right so that the entire table is viewable. Click the Select Data button in the Design menu on the Chart Tools toolbar. The Select Data dialogue box will appear. Click the Edit button in the Horizontal Axis Labels column on the right of the dialogue box.- Select cells B3 through D13 and press OK. Click the second to last option in the Charts Layout menu, which is "Layout 6." Click in the chart title field at the top of the pie chart and type "Monthly Expenses." The chart has been formatted and will display the amount spent in each category as a percentage of the total.
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