Adding Drop Shadows to Cells

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated June 21, 2018)

4

When formatting the data in your worksheet, you may wonder if there is a way to add a drop shadow to a single cell. There is a very simple way to do it; just follow these steps:

  1. Select the cell that you want to have the drop shadow.
  2. Make sure the Drawing toolbar is displayed. (If you don't see it, click View | Toolbars | Drawing.)
  3. On the Drawing toolbar, click the Shadow Style tool. (It is the second from the right.) You'll see a palette of various shadows you can apply.
  4. Select the shadow desired.

That's it. What Excel technically does is to add a text box, the exact same size as the cell you selected in step 1, over the top of the cell. This text box is transparent so that the cell contents show through, but it has borders applied so that you see the drop shadow.

Note:

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ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (3407) applies to Microsoft Excel 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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What is one less than 2?

2020-03-03 04:34:58

Annalize Burger

Good day
I am working in Excel, Office 365 and wish to put a shadow to my cell border. A Drawing toolbar is nowhere to be found.
Could you please help me?

2017-04-19 13:01:36

Rambo

That doesn't work on a cell, it has to be on an object.

2016-01-10 15:00:32

Rustin

I'm wanting to apply this effect to a cell but I can't find the shadow command for cells like for shapes yes for cells no.

Thanks<


Rustin

2015-10-06 13:23:42

Eddie

What's the equivalent for 2010? The drawing toolbar is long gone.

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