Excel Template is a useful tool to allows your teammates to input data in a pre-defined way. This standard template makes the consolidation work easily. To make your Excel template even better, you should take care on the following tips.
#1 – Protect from Input
You should identify which cells/worksheets that are not for input. These cells/worksheets should be set as “Protected”.
#2 – Coloring your template
Use different background color or font color to indicate the cells for input or read-only. It is common to set those cells for input data with a lighter color (e.g. yellow). For those read-only cells, you can set it with a darker color (e.g. gray) or set the text to become gray.
You can use other colors like Red, Green for highlight. It’s always true to have a Key/Legend to explain your color usage.
#3 – Use border to set region
Border is very simple but useful tool to make your worksheet much clearer. It can gives user a clear picture about different parts of the worksheet.
#4 – Hide Cells
Unused cells are always the source of confusion. User always asks for: what should I do with this cell? What is this cell?
Hide unused cells to avoid any confusion.
