What you will build
Complete “Apply alternating colors to tables” using the visible Item, Category, Amount sample so each action and the final state can be checked against the source data.
Learning objectives
Open the practice workbook
Practice in your own copy
Make your own Google Sheets copy with the same data, formulas, formatting, filter and frozen header. The original remains unchanged.
Sign in to Google. If the original is not publicly shared, download the full workbook and import it into Google Sheets, or paste the example data into your own sheet.
Hands-on practice
Step 1: Select the complete table A1:C5, including the Item, Category, Amount header row.
Step 2: Choose Format > Alternating colors.
Step 3: In the Alternating colors sidebar, confirm Apply to range is A1:C5, keep Header enabled, choose a restrained style, and click Done.
Step 4: Verify rows 2:5 use alternating bands, row 1 is visually distinct, and row 6 and the surrounding cells remain unformatted.
Checkpoint
| Item | Category | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Notebook | Office | 20 |
| Taxi | Travel | 35 |
| Lunch | Food | 18 |
| Folder | Office | 12 |
Checkpoint for “Apply alternating colors to tables”: the Item, Category, Amount columns and sample records must still match this table after the lesson action.
Common mistakes and fixes
Correction: return to the exact range and command named in the steps, then compare the live sheet with the Item, Category, Amount source fields.
Independent practice
Add one row with the same schema, repeat the action, verify the new row behaves correctly, then remove it to restore the sample.
Key takeaways
- ✓Select A1:C5 including the header.
- ✓Use Format > Alternating colors.
- ✓Confirm Apply to range is exactly A1:C5.
- ✓Keep Header enabled and use a readable restrained style.
- ✓Verify formatting stops at the last data row.
Check your understanding
Answer four questions about the practice sheet.
Next lesson
Continue in recommended learning order with Create checkboxes for task lists.