5 Ways To Highlight Every Other Row In Google Sheets

Highlighting every other row in Google Sheets can be a useful way to make your data more readable, especially when working with large datasets. In this article, we will explore five different methods to achieve this, including using formulas, conditional formatting, and Google Sheets add-ons.

Method 1: Using Conditional Formatting

One of the easiest ways to highlight every other row in Google Sheets is by using conditional formatting. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the range of cells you want to format.
2. Go to the "Format" tab in the top menu.
3. Select "Conditional formatting".
4. In the "Format cells if" dropdown menu, select "Custom formula is".
5. Enter the formula =ISEVEN(ROW(A1)) (assuming your data starts in cell A1).
6. Click on the "Format" button and select the background color you want to apply.
7. Click "Done".

This will highlight every other row in your selected range.

Method 2: Using a Formula

You can also use a formula to highlight every other row in Google Sheets. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Enter the formula =IF(MOD(ROW(A1),2)=0,"Highlight","") in a new column (e.g., column B).
2. Copy the formula down to the rest of the cells in the column.
3. Select the range of cells in column B.
4. Go to the "Format" tab in the top menu.
5. Select "Conditional formatting".
6. In the "Format cells if" dropdown menu, select "Custom formula is".
7. Enter the formula =B1="Highlight" (assuming your formula is in cell B1).
8. Click on the "Format" button and select the background color you want to apply.
9. Click "Done".

This will highlight every other row in your selected range.

Method 3: Using a Google Sheets Add-on

There are several Google Sheets add-ons available that can help you highlight every other row. One popular add-on is "Table Formatter". To use this add-on, follow these steps:

1. Install the Table Formatter add-on from the Google Workspace Marketplace.
2. Select the range of cells you want to format.
3. Go to the "Add-ons" tab in the top menu.
4. Select "Table Formatter".
5. Click on the "Format" button.
6. Select the "Highlight every other row" option.
7. Choose the background color you want to apply.
8. Click "OK".

This will highlight every other row in your selected range.

Method 4: Using a Script

You can also use a script to highlight every other row in Google Sheets. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Apps Script editor by going to Tools > Script editor.
2. Delete any existing code in the editor.
3. Paste the following code: function highlightEveryOtherRow() { var sheet = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet().getActiveSheet(); var range = sheet.getDataRange(); var rows = range.getNumberOfRows(); for (var i = 1; i <= rows; i++) { if (i % 2 == 0) { sheet.getRange(i, 1, 1, range.getNumberOfColumns()).setBackground("yellow"); } } }
4. Save the script by clicking on the floppy disk icon or pressing Ctrl+S (or Cmd+S on a Mac).
5. Go back to your Google Sheet.
6. Select the range of cells you want to format.
7. Go to the "Tools" tab in the top menu.
8. Select "Script editor".
9. Click on the "Run" button.

This will highlight every other row in your selected range.

Method 5: Using a Formula with the `MOD` Function

You can also use a formula with the MOD function to highlight every other row in Google Sheets. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Enter the formula =MOD(ROW(A1),2)=0 in a new column (e.g., column B).
2. Copy the formula down to the rest of the cells in the column.
3. Select the range of cells in column B.
4. Go to the "Format" tab in the top menu.
5. Select "Conditional formatting".
6. In the "Format cells if" dropdown menu, select "Custom formula is".
7. Enter the formula =B1=TRUE (assuming your formula is in cell B1).
8. Click on the "Format" button and select the background color you want to apply.
9. Click "Done".

This will highlight every other row in your selected range.

Highlighting Every Other Row Image Gallery

We hope this article has helped you learn how to highlight every other row in Google Sheets. Whether you use a formula, conditional formatting, or a script, there are many ways to achieve this. Try out different methods to find the one that works best for you.

We'd love to hear from you! Share your experiences and tips for highlighting every other row in Google Sheets in the comments below. Don't forget to share this article with your friends and colleagues who might find it helpful. Happy formatting!