Worksheet background

When we make reports, the goal is for them to be both functional and beautiful. Their background can also contribute to the appearance of the worksheet in a positive way. It is a picture that is placed behind the tables, charts, and other elements of the report. If after hiding it, we also hide lines separating cells (Gridlines) reports will look like they were not created in Excel. But, more importantly, users will be able to easily find the necessary information.

The background of the worksheet is added in a simple way. We just need to go to the Page Layout ribbon and select the Background option. After its launch, the Insert Pictures window will open. It offers two options: From a File, when adding a file from a computer or from a local network, and the Bing Image Search option that allows you to add some of the images from the Internet that we find with the help of the Bing Browser.

When selecting, we can add images of different sizes, but my recommendation is to add small images that should serve as a background pattern with as little details as possible. In this way, the Excel document, after the saving, won’t be too large and the data in the report will be much more noticeable.

When we added an image in the background, for the sake of a better effect, it is only necessary to remove lines separating cells (Gridlines). This will be achieved by unchecking the checkbox Gridlines that is part of the the View toolbar. If now, for example, we add the Pivot table and the chart the report will get astonishing new look.