Add Gradient Fill to Shapes / Cells in Excel & Google Sheets
This tutorial demonstrates how to add gradient fill to shapes and cells in Excel & Google Sheets.
Add Gradient Fill to an Existing Shape
1. Select the existing shape in your worksheet.
A new tab on the Ribbon shows up called Shape Format.
2. In the Ribbon, select Shape Format > Shape Styles > Shape Fill > Gradient.
3. You can either select the Gradient from the preset gradients shown, or you can select More Gradients.
4. If you select More Gradients, a task pane opens in the right hand side of your Excel screen called Format Shape.
5. Select Gradient fill, and then select the type from the drop-down box (I have selected Linear). You can then select the Direction you want your gradient to go.
6. You can also add Gradient stops to your gradient and adjust the position and transparency of them. This changes the gradient appearance in the shape.
Add Gradient Fill to a Cell
To add a gradient to a cell you need to amend the background color of the cell.
1. Select the cell where you want the gradient to go, and then, in the Ribbon, select Home > Font and then select Font Settings.
2. In the Format cells dialog box, (1) click the Fill tab and then, (2) click Fill Effects.
3. In the Fill Effects dialog box, (1) Select the two colors you would like in your gradient, and then (2) select the Shading style and variant you want.
4. Click OK and then OK once again to apply the gradient to the cell.
Add Gradient Fill to Shapes in Google Sheets
You cannot apply a gradient to a cell in Google Sheets, but you can apply it to an existing shape.
1. In the drawing in your Google sheet, select the shape you want.
2. In the toolbar, select Fill color and then select Gradient.
3. Select the Type of gradient, and the angel, and then, if required, add gradient stops to your gradient. You can adjust the color of each stop as well as the starting color and ending color of the gradient.
4. Click OK, and then click Save and Close to return to your Google sheet.
