Format Cells – Fill Tab (FIGURE 1)
The Fill tab of the Format Cells dialog box is not very complicated, as there are only a couple of choices to make.

• ​Background Color: This is simply a color palette. Whichever color you select appears in the Sample area at the bottom, which shows how the background color of the cells will appear. 
• Fill Effects button: When selected, you will see the dialog box in FIGURE 11 below. You can use 2 different colors with various types of gradients.
• More Colors button: When selected, you will see the dialog box in FIGURE 6 below. You can create many colors with this customizable palette. 
• Pattern Color/Pattern Style: Additional patterns can be added to any cell(s), with a Pattern Color palette choice. 

STEP 1. (NOTE: Before beginning, ensure that you keep the CTRL key held down while you are highlighting columns).
STEP 2: Move mouse up to the column A header until you see a downward-pointing black arrow and then click the mouse to highlight column A.

Repeat the STEP 2 process to highlight columns C, E, and G (FIGURE 2).

STEP 3: Position mouse anywhere on the highlighted column portion and right-button mouse click.  On the mouse shortcut menu, select Format Cells (FIGURE 3).

STEP 4: On the Fill tab, select the button “More Colors” (FIGURE 4).

STEP 5: From the Standard Colors palette, select a mint green color as shown. After you click your mouse on the color, it will appear in the “New” section in bottom-right corner of dialog box. The color you select does not have to be the exact same color as shown. Press the OK button to finish. 
​On the Format Cells dialog box, again select the OK button to finish (FIGURE 5).

STEP 6: (NOTE: Before beginning, ensure that you keep the CTRL key held down while you are highlighting columns).
Move mouse up to the column B header until you see a downward-pointing black arrow and then click the mouse to highlight column B (FIGURE 6).
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STEP 7: Repeat the STEP 6 process repeatedly so columns B, D and F are highlighted (FIGURE 6).

STEP 8: Position mouse anywhere on the highlighted column portion and right-button mouse click.  On the mouse shortcut menu, select Format Cells (FIGURE 7).

STEP 9: In the Background Color section of the Format Cells Fill tab, select the Fill Effects button (FIGURE 8).

STEP 10: On the Fill Effects dialog box, leave Color 1 as is. For Color 2, select the menu arrow and in the “Theme Colors” section, select Blue, Accent 1, Lighter 60% (FIGURE 9).

STEP 11: On the main Fill Effects dialog box, leave the default choice (Horizontal) as the selection (FIGURE 10). Press the OK button to continue.

The final look is shown in FIGURE 11