Tab Color in Excel

Spreadsheets don’t have to be boring. In fact, styling your workbook properly can make it easier for a user to navigate and work within.

One great feature is setting the tab color in Excel. This helps you set each sheet apart as a separate space. Let’s learn how to adjust tab color in Excel

Set Tab Color in Excel

You probably already know that each tab in a workbook is a separate workspace. Each spreadsheet is a unique view with data separate from the other sheets. These sheets can work together with formulas between them, but they’re also a great chance to help organize.

To set a tab color, right-click on it and choose the Tab Color menu. You’ll see a set of color swatches to choose from. When you click on the swatch, you’ll set the tab to the selected color.

Notice that while you still have the sheet selected, the tab color will appear differently than you might have expected.

Want to set the tab color for multiple sheets? That’s easy, too. Hold Control on your keyboard (or Command on macOS) and click on several sheets. Then, right-click and choose a color from the Tab Color menu. All of the selected sheets will take on the selected color.

How to Use Totally Custom Tab Colors in Excel

When you explored the tab color menu, you might have noticed that there were preset colors to choose from. If you’re feeling especially creative, it helps to know that these aren’t your only options.

On the Tab Color menu, try out the More Colors… menu. Then, choose a new color swatch from the Standard tab. Or, switch to the Custom tab to input a hex code.

Every spreadsheet is an opportunity to express yourself creatively. Use tab colors to set your sheets apart in the workbook.