Summary  
This chapter explains how to programmatically modify the visual attributes of table-like cells—adjusting their dimensions, borders, fill colors, text wrapping, merging, and alignment—to improve layout and readability.

General domain of usage  
Spreadsheet formatting

Formatting cells in **Excel** is fantastic for making your spreadsheets not only easier to read but also more professional. 

## Key Points

- Adjust **row height** and **column width** by dragging or double-clicking borders, or via **Row Height**/**Column Width** from the right-click menu;

- Add borders with **Borders** in the **Home** tab → **Font** group;

- Apply background color using **Fill Color** in the **Home** tab → **Font** group;

- Use **Wrap Text** to display all content without widening the column in the **Home** tab → **Alignment** group;
- Combine cells and center content with **Merge & Center** in the **Home** tab → **Alignment** group;

- Set **vertical** and **horizontal alignment** in the **Home** tab → **Alignment** group.

import unittest
import json


def _dynamic_test(test_case, condition, success_message, failure_message):
    if condition:
        test_case._testMethodName = success_message
        test_case.assertTrue(True, success_message)
    else:
        test_case._testMethodName = failure_message
        test_case.fail(failure_message)


class TestTask(unittest.TestCase):
    @classmethod
    def setUpClass(cls):
        with open("payload.json") as f:
            data = json.load(f)
        cls.sheet = next(iter(data["sheets"].values()))
        cls.styles = data.get("styles", {})

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Helpers
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def _cell(self, row, col):
        return (
            self.sheet.get("cellData", {})
            .get(str(row), {})
            .get(str(col))
        )

    def _cell_value(self, row, col):
        cell = self._cell(row, col)
        return None if cell is None else cell.get("v")

    def _cell_style(self, row, col):
        """Return the resolved IStyleData dict for a cell (handles style IDs)."""
        cell = self._cell(row, col)
        if not cell:
            return {}
        s = cell.get("s")
        if s is None:
            return {}
        if isinstance(s, str):
            return self.styles.get(s, {})
        if isinstance(s, dict):
            return s
        return {}

    def _has_all_borders(self, row, col):
        bd = self._cell_style(row, col).get("bd", {})
        return all(
            bd.get(side, {}).get("s", 0) > 0
            for side in ("t", "b", "l", "r")
        )

    def _has_fill(self, row, col):
        bg = self._cell_style(row, col).get("bg", {})
        rgb = bg.get("rgb", "")
        return bool(rgb) and rgb.upper() not in ("#FFFFFF", "")

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 3 — Column width I:O set to 11
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_column_width_I_to_O(self):
        column_data = self.sheet.get("columnData", {})
        widths = []
        for col in range(8, 15):  # I=8 … O=14 (0-based)
            cell_ref = chr(ord("I") + (col - 8)) + " col"
            w = column_data.get(str(col), {}).get("w")
            with self.subTest(col=cell_ref):
                _dynamic_test(
                    self,
                    w is not None,
                    f"Column {cell_ref} has an explicit width set.",
                    f"Column {cell_ref} width was not set (found None)."
                )
            if w is not None:
                widths.append(w)

        if len(widths) == 7:
            _dynamic_test(
                self,
                len(set(widths)) == 1,
                "Columns I–O all have the same width.",
                f"Columns I–O do not all have the same width: {widths}."
            )

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 4 — All Borders on I12:O18
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_borders_I12_O18(self):
        for row in range(11, 18):      # 0-based rows 11-17 = Excel 12-18
            for col in range(8, 15):   # 0-based cols 8-14 = Excel I-O
                cell_ref = f"{chr(ord('I') + col - 8)}{row + 1}"
                with self.subTest(cell=cell_ref):
                    _dynamic_test(
                        self,
                        self._has_all_borders(row, col),
                        f"{cell_ref} has all borders applied.",
                        f"{cell_ref} is missing one or more borders."
                    )

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 5 — All Borders on I20:O20
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_borders_I20_O20(self):
        for col in range(8, 15):       # 0-based cols 8-14 = Excel I-O
            cell_ref = f"{chr(ord('I') + col - 8)}20"
            with self.subTest(cell=cell_ref):
                _dynamic_test(
                    self,
                    self._has_all_borders(19, col),  # 0-based row 19 = Excel 20
                    f"{cell_ref} has all borders applied.",
                    f"{cell_ref} is missing one or more borders."
                )

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 6 — Fill color on H11:O11, H12:H18, H19:O19
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_fill_color_H11_O11(self):
        for col in range(7, 15):       # H=7 … O=14
            cell_ref = f"{chr(ord('H') + col - 7)}11"
            with self.subTest(cell=cell_ref):
                _dynamic_test(
                    self,
                    self._has_fill(10, col),
                    f"{cell_ref} has a fill color applied.",
                    f"{cell_ref} has no fill color."
                )

    def test_fill_color_H12_H18(self):
        for row in range(11, 18):      # 0-based rows 11-17 = Excel 12-18
            cell_ref = f"H{row + 1}"
            with self.subTest(cell=cell_ref):
                _dynamic_test(
                    self,
                    self._has_fill(row, 7),
                    f"{cell_ref} has a fill color applied.",
                    f"{cell_ref} has no fill color."
                )

    def test_fill_color_H19_O19(self):
        for col in range(7, 15):
            cell_ref = f"{chr(ord('H') + col - 7)}19"
            with self.subTest(cell=cell_ref):
                _dynamic_test(
                    self,
                    self._has_fill(18, col),
                    f"{cell_ref} has a fill color applied.",
                    f"{cell_ref} has no fill color."
                )

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 7 — Merge & Center H3:K3
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_merge_H3_K3(self):
        merge_data = self.sheet.get("mergeData", [])
        found = any(
            m.get("startRow") == 2 and m.get("endRow") == 2
            and m.get("startColumn") == 7 and m.get("endColumn") == 10
            for m in merge_data
        )
        _dynamic_test(
            self,
            found,
            "H3:K3 is merged.",
            "H3:K3 is not merged (expected mergeData entry startRow=2, endRow=2, startColumn=7, endColumn=10)."
        )

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 8 — Wrap Text on I11:O11
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_wrap_text_I11_O11(self):
        for col in range(8, 15):       # I=8 … O=14
            cell_ref = f"{chr(ord('I') + col - 8)}11"
            with self.subTest(cell=cell_ref):
                tb = self._cell_style(10, col).get("tb")
                _dynamic_test(
                    self,
                    tb == 3,
                    f"{cell_ref} has Wrap Text enabled (tb=3).",
                    f"{cell_ref} does not have Wrap Text (tb={tb!r}, expected 3)."
                )

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 9 — Middle Align + Center Text on I11:O21
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_middle_align_center_I11_O21(self):
        for row in range(10, 21):      # 0-based rows 10-20 = Excel 11-21
            for col in range(8, 15):
                cell_ref = f"{chr(ord('I') + col - 8)}{row + 1}"
                style = self._cell_style(row, col)
                vt = style.get("vt")
                ht = style.get("ht")
                with self.subTest(cell=cell_ref):
                    _dynamic_test(
                        self,
                        vt == 2 and ht == 2,
                        f"{cell_ref} has Middle Align (vt=2) and Center Text (ht=2).",
                        f"{cell_ref} alignment incorrect: vt={vt!r} (expected 2), ht={ht!r} (expected 2)."
                    )


if __name__ == "__main__":
    unittest.main()


test_main.py

Dive into the world of Excel with this comprehensive video course, designed to take you from basic navigation to mastering functions and basic data analysis. Starting with foundational skills like data entry and cell formatting, you'll quickly progress to using powerful tools. Whether you're organizing large datasets, performing statistical analysis, or creating dynamic charts, this course equips you with the practical skills needed in today’s data-driven environment.

Kickstart your journey with Excel by understanding its interface, basic functions, and essential data entry techniques. Learn how to navigate toolbars, worksheets, and master the fundamental elements to set a solid foundation.

Dive deeper into Excel by exploring advanced data entry and formatting options. Sharpen your skills in text and number formatting, discover how to effectively use styles, and enhance spreadsheet readability and functionality.

Unleash the power of Excel with an introduction to basic formulas and functions. Gain confidence in creating calculations, using cell references, and employing key functions like SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, and MAX to automate and simplify your data analysis tasks.

In this section, you will master advanced Excel formulas and functions, enhancing your ability to manage complex calculations. Learn to display and audit formulas, utilize nested and logical statements, and apply conditions effectively to streamline your data analysis tasks.

Explore comprehensive techniques for sorting, filtering, and managing data efficiently. This section covers everything from basic data organization to advanced filtering and table management, ensuring you can handle and analyze data effectively.

Dive into the art of data visualization using Excel's powerful charting tools. You'll learn to create various types of charts, customize them to enhance visual appeal, and manipulate data within charts to present clear and compelling visual stories.

Gain proficiency in managing worksheets and workbooks within Excel. This section teaches you how to effectively organize and manipulate workbook elements, utilize formatting tools, and secure your work with passwords, providing a thorough grounding in workbook operations.

Excel Cell Formatting

Key Points

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Solution