Problem: My manager asks for a pivot table to be formatted with alternating stripes that are two rows high. None of the built-in styles do this.
Strategy: You can create this effect by duplicating an existing style and modifying it. Follow these steps:
- Find a style that is close to your manager's request. In the PivotTable Styles gallery, right-click the style and choose Duplicate.
- Copy an existing style.
- In the Modify PivotTable Quick Style dialog, give the style a new name. Excel initially gives the style a name by adding a 2 after the old name. Rather than PivotStyleLight 10 2, use a name like TwoStripe.
- At the bottom left of the dialog, choose Set as Default PivotTable Quick Style For This Document.
- In the Table Element list box, choose First Row Stripe. A new dropdown control appears, called Stripe Size. Open the dropdown and choose 2.
- Change the stripe size.
- Repeat step 4 with Second Row Stripe.
- Click OK to finish modifying the style. You have now created a new style, but Excel has not applied the style to your pivot table.
- Open the PivotTable Styles gallery and find the new style at the top of the list, in the Custom section. Choose that style.
Results: A new style is available, with stripes that are two rows tall.
- A new style is available.
Additional Details: If you want all future pivot tables to use this format, right-click the style thumbnail and choose Set as Default.
Additional Details: While working in the Modify PivotTable Quick Style dialog, you can click the Format button to change the font, border, and fill.
Gotcha: The custom style is saved in the workbook. It is not available in other workbooks.