how to make every other row shaded in google sheets

Daniel Parker

2 min read

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19-01-2025

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Google Sheets offers a simple yet powerful way to improve the readability of your spreadsheets by visually separating rows. Shading every other row is a common formatting technique that makes large datasets much easier to scan and understand. This article will guide you through several methods to achieve this, from using conditional formatting to employing scripting for more complex scenarios.

Method 1: Using Conditional Formatting (Easiest Method)

This is the quickest and most straightforward method for shading every other row.

1. Select your data: Click and drag to select all the rows you want to format. Don't include header rows if you don't want them shaded.

2. Open Conditional Formatting: Go to Format > Conditional formatting.

3. Create a Custom Formula: In the "Format rules" pane, choose "Custom formula is".

4. Enter the Formula: This is the key step. Paste the following formula into the formula box: =ISEVEN(ROW())

   • ROW() returns the row number of the currently selected cell.
   • ISEVEN() checks if the number is even. The formula, therefore, highlights even-numbered rows.

5. Choose your Fill Color: Select the fill color you want to use for the shaded rows. Click "Done."

Now, every other row in your selected range will be shaded!

Method 2: Using Conditional Formatting with Offset for Specific Ranges

What if you only want to shade every other row within a specific range, skipping headers or other sections? We can modify the formula to achieve this:

Let's say your data starts on row 3 (after a header row) and extends to row 102. The formula would be adjusted as follows:

=ISEVEN(ROW()-2)

This subtracts 2 from the row number, effectively starting the even/odd cycle at row 3 instead of row 1. Adjust the number you subtract based on where your data range begins.

Method 3: Alternative Conditional Formatting Formula

Here's another way to achieve the same result using the MOD function:

=MOD(ROW(),2)=0

This formula uses the modulo operator (MOD) to check if the remainder of the row number divided by 2 is 0 (meaning it's an even number). This is functionally equivalent to the ISEVEN() approach.

Method 4: Google Apps Script (For More Complex Scenarios)

For more complex scenarios, such as shading based on other criteria or applying the shading dynamically, Google Apps Script offers more flexibility. However, this method is more advanced and requires basic scripting knowledge.

This script will shade every other row in the active sheet:

function shadeEveryOtherRow() {
  var ss = SpreadsheetApp.getActiveSpreadsheet();
  var sheet = ss.getActiveSheet();
  var lastRow = sheet.getLastRow();

  for (var i = 2; i <= lastRow; i += 2) { //Start at row 2 to skip headers if present
    sheet.getRange(i, 1, 1, sheet.getLastColumn()).setBackground("#d9d9d9"); //Example color
  }
}

Remember to replace "#d9d9d9" with your desired color code. You can access the script editor by going to Tools > Script editor. Paste this code, save it (give it a name), and run the function.

Choosing the Right Method

For most users, the conditional formatting method (Method 1) is the easiest and most efficient way to shade every other row. It’s quick, easy to implement, and doesn't require any coding knowledge. Method 2 provides flexibility for those needing to control the starting row of the shading. Only use Method 4 if you need more advanced customization that cannot be achieved with conditional formatting. Regardless of the method you choose, remember to adjust the color and range to match your specific spreadsheet needs.