You may know how to use basic text and numeric formats, but if you push yourself beyond basics, you will be able to create the most effective and readable sheets. By knowing how to apply the right excel formatting technique in specific cells, you will be able to work more efficiently. Here are some of the best tips on Excel formatting techniques:

1. Copy Formatting by Using Paste Option: Use the Paste feature correctly. The trick will help you copy formats to entire rows and columns. Start with selecting the source cell and then press [ctrl]+c, post which you click anywhere inside the destination row/column. Select the entire column by clicking [Ctrl]+[space], or the whole row by clicking [shift]+[space]. You can use the live preview to see how the applied formats look like. Then you can finish by clicking OK.
2. Copy Format by using the Fill Handles: A versatile and powerful tool, the fill handle helps you copy formats with simply a few clicks, other than creating series and copying formulas. Select the cell with the format you desire to copy, and then double click the fill handle of the cell. You can then click on resulting AutoFill Options control and finally select the file formatting only option.
3. Readable Data with their Custom Formats: When numbers have a few digits, they are easily readable. However, with second thousands separator, numbers become less and less readable, especially if you have lots of them in your data. With custom formats, you can reduce a lot of digits, which will make it easier for you to read without changing the scale.
4. Create a Purpose Indicating Cell Style: If you want your users to acclimate much quicker and easier, you need to use a cell style to identify purpose. This also helps you to maintain consistency in your organization. For instance, you’re using colors to distinguish label and input cells. If you’re using a specific cell style, it is an efficient way of putting that convention to work. You can start doing this by clicking on Home tab, and then Cell styles in Styles option. On the list, click on New Cell Style, and enter a name for the style in the resulting dialogue box. Then click on Format/Modify, then the border Tab and choose the outline section. Click on Fill Tab and choose your color, and click OK.
5. Copy Styles between Workbooks: If you have been using the same custom cell style in each workbook, there is no need to anymore re-create each style every time. You can simply copy the style from one file to the other. All you have to do is open a source workbook and a destination workbook, click cell styles on source workbook, in Styles group of Home tab. Choose Merge Styles at the bottom of the gallery and in the resulting dialogue, select open workbook containing styles you need to copy. End with clicking OK twice.