Applies ToExcel for Microsoft 365 Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac Excel for the web Excel 2024 Excel 2024 for Mac Excel 2021 Excel 2021 for Mac Excel 2019 Excel 2016

Formatting text or numbers can make them appear more visible especially when you have a large worksheet. Changing default formats includes things like changing the font color, style, size, text alignment in a cell, or apply formatting effects. This article shows you how you can apply different formats and also undo them.

The font setting buttons on the Ribbon

If you want text or numbers in a cell to appear bold, italic, or have a single or double underline, select the cell and on the Home tab, pick the format you want:

the Font group of buttons for use with changing font style in a cell

Change font style, size, color, or apply effects

Click Home and:

  • For a different font style, click the arrow next to the default font Calibri and pick the style you want.

  • To increase or decrease the font size, click the arrow next to the default size 11 and pick another text size.

    pick NOTHER FONT STYLE OR SIZE FROM THE FONT BUTTONS ON THE RIBBON

  • To change the font color, click Font Color and pick a color.

  • To add a background color, click Fill Color next to Font Color.

    Pick another text color

  • To apply strikethrough, superscript, or subscript formatting, click the Dialog Box Launcher, and select an option under Effects.

    The font dialog launcher on the Home tab of the ribbon. Format dialog box with superscript selected.

Change the text alignment

You can position the text within a cell so that it is centered, aligned left or right. If it’s a long line of text, you can apply Wrap Text so that all the text is visible.

Select the text that you want to align, and on the Home tab, pick the alignment option you want.

Alignment of text

Clear formatting

If you change your mind after applying any formatting, to undo it, select the text, and on the Home tab, click Clear > Clear Formats.

use the clear format button to remove formatting

Change font style, size, color, or apply effects

Click Home and:

  • For a different font style, click the arrow next to the default font Calibri and pick the style you want.

  • To increase or decrease the font size, click the arrow next to the default size 11 and pick another text size.

    pick NOTHER FONT STYLE OR SIZE FROM THE FONT BUTTONS ON THE RIBBON

  • To change the font color, click Font Color and pick a color.

  • To add a background color, click Fill Color next to Font Color.

    Pick another text color

  • For boldface, italics, underline, double underline, and strikethrough, select the appropriate option under Font.The Font section of the Home tab, with effects highlighted.

Change the text alignment

You can position the text within a cell so that it is centered, aligned left or right. If it’s a long line of text, you can apply Wrap Text so that all the text is visible.

Select the text that you want to align, and on the Home tab, pick the alignment option you want.

Alignment of text

Clear formatting

If you change your mind after applying any formatting, to undo it, select the text, and on the Home tab, click Clear > Clear Formats.

use the clear format button to remove formatting

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.