Ever wanted to use colours in your spreadsheet that match your companys corporate colours? You can create your own colours and usually get pretty close depending on your patience whether youre a perfectionist or not.
To create a new colour in Excel 2003 and earlier versions click the Tools menu, then click Options. Select the Colour tab. This has the standard Excel colour selection. Select one of the coloured squares. Choosing a colour near or next to the corner is makes it is easier to find when you want to use it again. Click Modify.
The Standard tab allows you to select from a few other colours and change the darkness. See the New / Current box (bottom right-hand side) to see a comparison of before and after. The Custom tab allows maximum colour changes and you can even enter your Red / Green / Blue (RGB) settings if your graphic designer has given them to you. Click OK when finished and OK again. The colour is ready to use.
Neale Blackwood is a senior business analyst with Access Analytic Solutions, which provides financial modelling, management reporting services, as well as advanced Excel training. You can email Neale at nblackwood@accessanalytic.com.au
