EMAIL LESSON 4: Basic Formatting Essentials
Subject Line: Day 4: Make Your Spreadsheet Look Professional in 5 Steps ✨
Your data entry skills are solid! Now let's make your spreadsheet look like something you'd proudly show to your principal.
Today's 15-Minute Lesson: Essential Formatting
Think of formatting like decorating your classroom - the same information, but presented beautifully.
What You'll Learn Today:
Make headers stand out
Adjust column widths so everything fits
Add simple borders for a clean look
Choose readable fonts and sizes
The 5-Step Professional Look:
Step 1: Make Headers Bold (2 minutes)
Click on A1 (Student Name)
Hold Shift and click on C1 (this selects A1 to C1)
Press Ctrl + B (makes text bold)
See how the headers now stand out?
Step 2: Fix Column Widths (3 minutes)
Move your mouse to the line between column A and B headers
When you see a double-arrow cursor, double-click
Column A automatically fits the longest text!
Do the same for columns B and C
Magic - everything fits perfectly now
Step 3: Increase Header Size (2 minutes)
Select your headers again (A1 to C1)
Look for the font size box (shows "11" or "12")
Click the dropdown and choose "14"
Headers are now bigger and easier to read
Step 4: Add Simple Borders (4 minutes)
Select all your data (A1 down to C6, or wherever your data ends)
Look for the borders button (looks like a grid)
Click the dropdown arrow next to it
Choose "All Borders"
Your data now looks like a proper table!
Step 5: Center Your Headers (2 minutes)
Select your headers (A1 to C1)
Look for alignment buttons (left, center, right)
Click the center alignment button
Headers now look more professional
Today's Practice: Transform Your Class List (12 minutes)
Use your class list from previous days and apply all 5 steps:
Bold the headers (Student Name, Subject, Contact Number)
Auto-fit all columns by double-clicking between column letters
Make headers size 14
Add borders around all your data
Center the headers
Before and After Check:
Before: Plain text in boxes
After: Professional-looking table with clear structure
Formatting Tips for Beginners:
Can't Find the Formatting Buttons?
Look at the top of Excel - there's a row of buttons
If you can't find something, try right-clicking on selected cells
Made a Mistake?
Remember Ctrl + Z to undo
You can always try again
Want to Remove Formatting?
Select the cells
Right-click and choose "Clear Formats"
Don't Go Overboard:
Simple is better for beginners
Too many colors and fonts look unprofessional
Common Beginner Questions:
Q: My text got cut off. What happened? A: The column is too narrow. Double-click between the column letters to auto-fit.
Q: I selected the wrong cells. How do I start over? A: Click anywhere to deselect, then carefully select the right cells.
Q: The borders look weird. Can I fix them? A: Select the cells and try "All Borders" again, or use Ctrl + Z to undo.
Today's Success Check:
[ ] My headers are bold and bigger
[ ] All columns fit the text properly
[ ] My data has neat borders
[ ] The spreadsheet looks professional
[ ] I can apply basic formatting confidently
What's Coming Tomorrow: File saving and organization - because finding your work later is just as important as creating it!
[✨ See Day 4 Formatting Examples] ← Link to: https://yoursite.com/day4-formatting
Looking professional already!
Best regards, Your Excel Course Team