Edit & format a spreadsheet

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You can add data to a spreadsheet, then edit or format the cells and data.

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
Redo
Bold
Italic
Strikethrough
Change font or font size
Change text color
Change cell fill color
- Single color
- Alternating colors
Change cell borders
- Change border color
- Change border style
Merge cells
Change horizontal text alignment
Change vertical text alignment
Rotate text in a cell
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.

Format numbers & dates in a cell

Select the cell to be formatted.
At the top, click Format 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."

Learn more about formatting numbers in a spreadsheet.

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 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.