Excel 2003 features several formatting tools. One convenient way to keep them most often used formatting and appearance control functions at hand is by using the Formatting Palette.
The Formatting Palette can be enabled by selecting View > Formatting Palette. When this is enabled, Excel will display a detachable or "floating" tool palette that allows the user to add objects, control the font properties, number attributes, alignment and spacing, borders and shading, and page setup. The elements inside this floating palette can be expanded for easy access or collapsed to conserve screen space. Each toolbar within the palette can be expanded and collapsed individually.
The Formatting Palette makes the most common cell formatting functions available quickly and easily. When you want to close the palette, just click on the standard "close" control at the top of the palette and it will disappear. When you want to access it again, click the Formatting Palette icon on the Standard Toolbar and the palette will reappear.
The Formatting Palette assumes translucent look when you're actively editing your document, so you can see the document beneath it as you edit. When you activate the Formatting Palette, it becomes opaque. Excel keeps track of where you store the palette on screen and will restore it to its last state and position each time you open a document.
You'll still need to use the Format > Cells menu for certain functions, but the Formatting Palette saves you a trip into the menus when you want to apply common formatting properties to a cell or document.
Notes for editors: Claire Blinman is the training manager at Computer Training Solutions in Bristol. For more information visit our website at http://www.computertrainingsolutions.co.uk or call 0800 019 6882
Source: www.isnare.com
