Topics → Great Sheet Design

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94 Tutorials

Every house is a home, if you decorate it. Every home still needs to be livable, functional, useful. These videos not only make your sheets look good, they also help your sheets function. Meaning you won’t be looking around for hidden columns, you won’t have to tell people twice where to put the damn data. 

Make Your Sheets Look Good And Feel Even Better
Are you tired of looking at boring and cluttered spreadsheets? 

Do you want to improve the visual appeal of your Google Sheets while also enhancing their functionality? Look no further than this section of great Google Sheet aesthetics and design tips! 

These simple yet effective design strategies will not only make your sheets look good, but they will also help you work more efficiently and effectively. If we're spending 8 to 10 hours a day inside spreadsheets, we might as well enjoy it. Right?


Creating an Aesthetically Pleasing Google Sheet
When it comes to creating a Google Sheet, functionality should always be the top priority. However, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice aesthetics in the process. 

By incorporating a few design techniques, you can create a visually pleasing spreadsheet that is also easy to use and understand. From customizing cell formatting to adjusting color and iconography, there are many ways to improve the appearance and functionality of your Google Sheets.

Your coworkers will start to notice. Your sheets won't look like anyone else's. That is until they start stealing your techniques. And then you'll just have to come back for more! 


Customize Formatting for Improved Readability

One of the easiest ways to improve the aesthetics of your Google Sheets is to customize the format of your cells. By adjusting font sizes, styles, and colors, you can create a clean and consistent look that is easy to read and understand. Here are some tips for customizing cell formatting:


Choose a Clear and Readable Font

The font you choose for your Google Sheet can have a big impact on its readability. Choose a font that is clear, easy to read, and consistent throughout your sheet. Some popular options include Arial, Helvetica, and Calibri. But I personally like Karla the most. If you're looking for a the best header font, try Oswald.

I go into more details in these tutorials: My Favorite Fonts and Better Header Fonts


Adjust Font Sizes and Styles for Emphasis

To draw attention to important data, you can increase the font size and style of specific cells or sections of your sheet. they might tell you to use larger font sizes for headings or subheadings, and consider using bold or italicized text for emphasis. But there are some many more techniques you can use. 

For example instead of making your header bigger, and then losing readability of your data, keep your header small. You only need it for navigation and orientation, not constantly to read. Your data is more important.

One more quick technique is not to increase the size or boldness of your headers, but rather decrease the contrast of your non-important data. Down towards gray will help you point out your important data.


Use Colors to Highlight Data

Color is a powerful tool for drawing attention to specific data points in your sheet. Use contrasting colors to make data stand out, or apply a consistent color scheme throughout your sheet for a cohesive look.

Well that's what they all say but your in Better Sheets, there's a better way.

First off, decrease the contrast of your sheets. This improves the experience so you can actually stare at your sheets longer. The highest contrast hurts our eyes! And Arial hurts our hearts.

Get this free Google Sheet Add-on: Sheet Styles to decrease the contrast between your text and background with one click.


Adding Images and Graphics to Enhance Visual Appeal

Another way to improve the aesthetics of your Google Sheets is to incorporate images and graphics. By adding icons, logos, or other visual elements, you can make your sheet more engaging and memorable. Here are some tips for using images and graphics in your sheet:

Use Icons and Symbols to Simplify Data

Icons and symbols can be a great way to simplify complex data and make it easier to understand. Consider using icons or symbols to represent different data points or categories in your sheet.

Use Emojis when and where you can. They empower you to get a little funky with your sheets.
check out this tutorial: Insert Emojis in Sheets


some other advice they might have:
  • Creating a Consistent and Cohesive Look
  • Choose a Color Scheme and Stick to It
  • Use Formatting Styles Consistently

But this is all well and good only if you know good design. If your design techniques are poor, then your consistently screwing up.

The sheet design techniques featured in these tutorials will empower you to make great sheets. Sheets that your bosses will love. Sheets you'll love to work in. And might just save your sanity once and for all.

94Tutorials

Explore Readable Hex Codes

Welcome to the captivating world of Readable Hex Codes! In this video, we dive into the intriguing realm of colors represented by hex codes. You'll witness the magic unfold as we explore the delightful hues of "Coffee," "Decade," and many more. With a click, we'll reveal the true essence of these hex codes and bring them to life on a Google Sheet.

Automatically Align Top

Automate formatting cells to align top. Either by a time-based trigger or every time you edit cells.

How To Format Sheets for Notes

Create sortable notes in Three ways. 
1. By adding the original word over and over again
2. Adding notes all in one cell with CMD + ENTER for new lines
3. Use Apps Script to sort the A column even with groups of rows.

How to Move Tab To End Easily with Apps Script

Create an apps script to move active tab to the far right.

Big Year - a Whole Year in One Google Sheets Tab

Get "Big Year" for free via Gumroad.

Get perspective on your 2024 plan with this full year calendar template in Google Sheets.

All-Year-in-One Overview

Imagine having the entire year's schedule on one single page. BIG YEAR offers a comprehensive 12-month display, providing an at-a-glance view of your whole year. This holistic perspective makes it easier to plan long-term projects, vacations, and personal milestones, ensuring you never miss out on life's big events.

More info on the Gumroad page

Announcing Button Styles | A Free Google Sheet Add-On

A new free Google Sheets Add-On to make drop shadow buttons inside your sheets. Free for everyone. Announced to members first.

Better Header Fonts - Best Fonts To Use In Google Sheets

Find out what fonts to use to make your headers better.

What is this Ampersand Doing in Google Sheets?

What is "&" doing in this formula? MONTH(A1&1)
Do you know why this is so cool? It can replace an entire vlookup chart I've been making for years.
DATE() MONTH() CONCAT() VALUE()

Create a Podcast Advertising Calculator

Build from scratch a calculator to figure out podcast advertising rates.

Sheet Styles A Free Google Sheet Add-on by Better Sheets

Install Sheet Styles now: https://sheet-styles.bettersheets.co/

Create a Branded Lead Magnet from Qualitative Data

LEN() ROUND() COUNTA() COUNTIF() SPLIT() +7 more

Creating Blank Cells For Good Reasons with IfError Formula and if(isBlank) Formula

There are surprisingly few times you want to have blank cells, or even create blank cells. In this video I'll show you the good reasons you want blank cells.

Google Sheets Interface Changes

Showing off New experiences in smart canvas changes to sheets. Including Date Chips, and Files Chips. Introduced in early 2023.

Better Numbers and Bullet Points in Your Spreadsheets

Improve Google Sheets Readability
Improve the readability of your spreadsheets and supercharge your productivity with our top tips for better numbering and bullet points in Google Sheets.

Create Visually Appealing Sheets
Discover how to create clear, concise, and visually appealing spreadsheets that engage your audience and get results! Make your lists spicy hot with numbering and bullet points. Learn how to execute this to make your sheets look better.

Understanding the Importance of Readability in Spreadsheets Readability is crucial when it comes to spreadsheets. It refers to how easy it is for your audience to read and understand the data you are presenting. If your spreadsheet is cluttered, confusing, and hard to read, your audience will quickly lose interest and may not be able to make informed decisions based on the data you are presenting.

The Benefits of Using Bullet Points and Numbering in Spreadsheets
Using bullet points and numbering in spreadsheets can help to improve readability by breaking down complex information into more manageable pieces. Here are some of the benefits of using these features:
  • Bullet points and numbering help to organize information in a logical and easy-to-follow way
  • They make it easier to scan and find important information quickly
  • They can help to emphasize key points and make them stand out from the rest of the data 
  • They make your spreadsheet look more visually appealing and professional

Capitalize Each Word

Every word can be capitalized with this formula.
UPPER() LOWER() PROPER()

Add Cool Responsive Graphs to Your Stock Tracking Sheets

Create little graphs with SPARKLINE() super easy!
INDEX() GOOGLEFINANCE() SPARKLINE() TODAY()

Switch Months Menu - Design a Better Dashboard Part 4

Create a dropdown that changes the months displayed in a dashboard.
INDEX() MATCH()

Create a Sheet of Sheets for Project Management and/or Data Management

Create an epic organization sheet of all your spreadsheets. Unlock the secret to compiling all your scattered information into one easy-to-use sheet. Learn how to merge data from multiple tabs with this one-sheet solution. Perfect for creating summaries and dashboards. Get started now and streamline your workflow!
TRANSPOSE() SPLIT() REPT() COUNT() INDIRECT()

Dashboard Principles - Design a Better Dashboard Part 1

One of the best examples of a dashboard I got from a great talk on just totally like SASS dashboards, and they talked about the speedometer and why the speedometer is such a great dashboard is that it is it encapsulates all of the principles of what goes into a great dashboard.

Build The Dashboard - Design a Better Dashboard Part 3

We're actually gonna go build the dashboard today.
CHAR() SUM() ROUNDUP() COUNTA() IF() +2 more

Consider Labels as Opposed to Headers

A quick video to share with you this theory. Consider repositioning your headers as labels in a dashboard.

Create Drop Shadows! This makes your dashboards pretty.

Add extra pizzazz. a little more snazz to your sheets. Make dashboards with very flexible drop shadows. A great google Sheet trick for any occasion.

Make Your Headers Useful

Today we're gonna talk about headers. I'm gonna give you three really cool ways to use your headers.

Biggest Flaw In Dashboards with Dark Colors

An optical illusion in Google Sheets and how to fix it.

2 New Ways To Add Emoji Reactions

 Revolutionize the way you react with emojis! Discover two new methods to add emoji reactions and take your spreadsheets to the next level. Learn how to create a reaction clicker and a reaction picker to personalize your sheets with emojis. Don't miss out on this game-changing method in Google Sheets. 

We're adding some emoji reactions to Google Sheets.

Deep Inside Dark Habits Google Script

Go inside this apps script and sheet. See how it's designed and created.
ARRAYFORMULA() ISBLANK() TRANSPOSE() FILTER() INDEX() +3 more

Create a 2x2 Priority Matrix

Boost Your Productivity with a Priority Matrix: Learn How to Prioritize Your Tasks and Achieve More! Join us in this different kind of video and discover the best tips and tools to create a two by two grid that helps you determine what's important and urgent. Perfect for daily planners, long-term projects, decision-making, gift-picking, and more! Don't miss out on this collaborative and time-saving approach! 

Great use case for the formula combination of JOIN/FILTER.
JOIN() FILTER()

Create a Progress Bar - Make Progress Bars with Sparkline: Part 1

Let's make a progress bar in Google Sheets.
SPARKLINE()