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.

Initial Workbook

import unittest
import json
import os


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 TestUserCode(unittest.TestCase):
    @classmethod
    def setUpClass(cls):
        cls._no_data = True
        cls.sheet = {}
        cls.styles = {}

        if os.path.exists("payload.json"):
            try:
                with open("payload.json") as f:
                    content = f.read().strip()
                if content:
                    data = json.loads(content)
                    cls.sheet = next(iter(data["sheets"].values()))
                    cls.styles = data.get("styles", {})
                    cls._no_data = False
            except (json.JSONDecodeError, ValueError, StopIteration):
                pass

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

    def _cell(self, row, col):
        """Return cell dict at 0-based row/col, or None."""
        row_data = self.sheet.get("cellData", {}).get(str(row), {})
        cell = row_data.get(str(col))
        if cell:
            return cell
        for key, c in row_data.items():
            if "-" in key:
                try:
                    s, e = map(int, key.split("-", 1))
                    if s <= col <= e:
                        return c
                except ValueError:
                    pass
        return None

    def _style(self, row, col):
        cell = self._cell(row, col)
        if not cell:
            return {}
        s = cell.get("s")
        if isinstance(s, str):
            return self.styles.get(s, {})
        return s if isinstance(s, dict) else {}

    def _has_all_borders(self, bd):
        """Accept both Univer short keys (t/b/l/r) and full keys (top/bottom/left/right)."""
        return (all(k in bd for k in ("t", "b", "l", "r")) or
                all(k in bd for k in ("top", "bottom", "left", "right")))

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 7 — Merge A1:D1
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_merge_A1_D1(self):
        if self._no_data:
            _dynamic_test(self, True, "A1:D1 is merged.", ""); return
        merge_data = self.sheet.get("mergeData", [])
        via_merge = any(
            m.get("startRow") == 0 and m.get("startColumn") == 0 and m.get("endColumn", 0) >= 3
            for m in merge_data
        )
        cell = self._cell(0, 0)
        via_cell = cell is not None and cell.get("colSpan", 1) >= 4
        _dynamic_test(self, via_merge or via_cell,
            "A1:D1 is merged.",
            "A1:D1 is not merged. Select A1:D1 → Home → Alignment → Merge & Center.")

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 4 — All Borders on B10:H16
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_borders_B10_H16(self):
        if self._no_data:
            _dynamic_test(self, True, "All Borders applied to B10:H16.", ""); return
        missing = []
        for ri in range(9, 16):
            for ci in range(1, 8):
                bd = self._style(ri, ci).get("bd", {})
                if not self._has_all_borders(bd):
                    missing.append(f"{chr(65+ci)}{ri+1}")
        _dynamic_test(self, len(missing) == 0,
            "All Borders applied to B10:H16.",
            f"Borders missing on B10:H16: {missing[:5]}{'...' if len(missing)>5 else ''}. "
            f"Select B10:H16 → Home → Font → Borders → All Borders.")

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 5 — All Borders on B18:H18
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_borders_B18_H18(self):
        if self._no_data:
            _dynamic_test(self, True, "All Borders applied to B18:H18.", ""); return
        missing = []
        for ci in range(1, 8):
            bd = self._style(17, ci).get("bd", {})
            if not self._has_all_borders(bd):
                missing.append(f"{chr(65+ci)}18")
        _dynamic_test(self, len(missing) == 0,
            "All Borders applied to B18:H18.",
            f"Borders missing on B18:H18: {missing}. "
            f"Select B18:H18 → Home → Font → Borders → All Borders.")

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 6 — Fill color on A9:H9
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_fill_A9_H9(self):
        if self._no_data:
            _dynamic_test(self, True, "Fill color applied to A9:H9.", ""); return
        missing = []
        for ci in range(8):
            bg = self._style(8, ci).get("bg")
            if not bg:
                missing.append(f"{chr(65+ci)}9")
        _dynamic_test(self, len(missing) == 0,
            "Fill color applied to A9:H9.",
            f"No fill on A9:H9: {missing}. Select A9:H9 → Home → Font → Fill Color.")

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 6 — Fill color on A17:H17
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_fill_A17_H17(self):
        if self._no_data:
            _dynamic_test(self, True, "Fill color applied to A17:H17.", ""); return
        missing = []
        for ci in range(8):
            bg = self._style(16, ci).get("bg")
            if not bg:
                missing.append(f"{chr(65+ci)}17")
        _dynamic_test(self, len(missing) == 0,
            "Fill color applied to A17:H17.",
            f"No fill on A17:H17: {missing}. Select A17:H17 → Home → Font → Fill Color.")

    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #
    # Step 6 — Fill color on A10:A16
    # ------------------------------------------------------------------ #

    def test_fill_A10_A16(self):
        if self._no_data:
            _dynamic_test(self, True, "Fill color applied to A10:A16.", ""); return
        missing = []
        for ri in range(9, 16):
            bg = self._style(ri, 0).get("bg")
            if not bg:
                missing.append(f"A{ri+1}")
        _dynamic_test(self, len(missing) == 0,
            "Fill color applied to A10:A16.",
            f"No fill on A10:A16: {missing}. Select A10:A16 → Home → Font → Fill Color.")


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