What you will build
Build a clean four-column table with one consistent header row: Date, Category, Description, and Amount. You will verify the header names, select the header row, and apply a single visual header style without changing the records below.
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: Check row 1. Keep exactly one header row and use one unique, descriptive label per column: Date, Category, Description, and Amount. Each row below should contain one record only.
Step 2: Select A1:D1. Use the toolbar to make the four headers bold and apply the same light-green fill to the entire selected header range. Do not format only one header cell.
Step 3: Confirm that A1:D1 is the only header row and that rows 2–4 remain unchanged. The four header cells should use the same style and each data column should stay under the matching label.
Checkpoint
| Date | Category | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-01 | Office | Notebook | 40 |
| 2026-09-02 | Travel | Taxi | 35 |
| 2026-09-03 | Food | Lunch | 18 |
Checkpoint: A1:D1 contains Date, Category, Description, Amount as one unique header row; all four header cells use the same bold, light-green style; rows 2–4 still contain the original three records.
Common mistakes and fixes
Compare row 1 with the checkpoint: there should be four unique labels, one header row, and one consistent style across A1:D1. Leave the three sample records unchanged.
Independent practice
Add one new record in row 5 using the same four-column schema. Verify that every value sits under the correct header, then remove the test row to restore the sample.
Key takeaways
- ✓Use one header row for the whole table.
- ✓Give every column a unique, descriptive name.
- ✓Select the complete header range A1:D1 before applying a shared style.
- ✓Use one consistent visual treatment for all header cells.
- ✓Keep one record per row and do not change the sample records while formatting headers.
Check your understanding
Answer four questions about the practice sheet.
Next lesson
Continue in recommended learning order with Use table formatting and references.
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