Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 26, 2022)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365
Terry has been using Excel for many, many years. All of a sudden, the program will not allow Terry to change the text color or the fill color in his worksheets. This has not happened before, and he doesn't know how to correct it.
The first thing to check out is whether this a single-workbook issue or affects all workbooks. I would suggest taking the workbook to a different system and opening it there. If you can modify colors on that system, then you know it is a Windows-based issue on your system. If you cannot modify colors regardless of the system, then the issue is with the workbook itself.
Assuming it is a workbook-related issue, then there are a few things to check out. First, make sure that the cells exhibiting the issue aren't formatted with conditional formatting. (Conditional formatting always overrides explicit formatting in a cell.)
Another thing to check is whether there has been some protection applied to the workbook. It is possible to protect against changing cell formats, which would preclude making any color changes.
Next, check to see if there is some macro code running in the workbook that is causing your colors to not "hold," or to be overwritten in some way.
Finally, try removing all formatting from the worksheet. Do this by selecting all the cells, displaying the Home tab of the ribbon, clicking the Clear tool (in the Editing group), and clicking Clear Formats. You can then try adding your desired colors again.
If you determined that the problem was Windows-based, then it is possible that your Windows color settings are the issue. Check the color scheme (including in the Accessibility Options) to ensure that you aren't using some high-contrast colors that are causing the problem. This may also apply to Windows themes that use only grayscale or force colors to shades of gray.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (6132) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Excel in Microsoft 365.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
Need to get rid of everything in a worksheet except the formulas? It's easier to make this huge change than you think it is.
Discover MoreLimiting what can be entered in a cell can be an important part of developing a worksheet that other people use. Here are ...
Discover MoreIf you copy a cell that contains a reference to external data, do you get an error? It could be due to the complexity of ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments