How to Add a Background Color or Pattern to Excel Cells

1. Start Microsoft Excel and open the file you want to change.
2. Select the cells in which you want to add a background color.
3. Open the Format menu and select Cells.
4. In the Format Cells dialog box, select the Patterns tab.
5. Click the color you want to use as a background color.
6. Click on the arrow head to open the Patterns menu.
7. Click the pattern you want to use as a background.
8. Click the color you want the pattern to use.
9. Select OK to accept the changes.