Select the rows & column where you want to make change. To make changes to the whole document Hit ctrl+A 1. Go condition Formatting and Click on New Rule 2. Click on Use formula to determine which cells to format 3. Type the formula =mod( row(),2) 4. Click on format and select your desired color. 5. Out put will be like this To Colour alternate column use below formula at step 4 =Mod(column(),2) Output will be like as shown in pic in left To make Chess like cell Use below formula in Step 4 =Mod(row( ),2)=Mod(column( ),2) Out put will be like