How to Customize Font Style, Size, and Color in Google Sheets

Changing fonts in Google Sheets might seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference in how your spreadsheets look and feel. Whether you're tweaking a personal project or rebranding a template, knowing how to customize the font style, size, and color is a game-changer. And yes, it's easier than you think.

Here’s a quick walkthrough to help you master it. Watch the video below for a visual breakdown, then stick around for detailed steps!

Why Should you Customize Fonts in Google Sheets?

First impressions count, and that applies to your spreadsheets too. Font adjustments help organize your data and make it more visually appealing. If you're using templates for a business or creating something for clients, styling fonts with your branding colors and fonts adds that professional touch. Plus, it’s super quick once you know how.

Let’s break it all down step by step. First, make sure you know how to open a Google Sheets spreadsheet or go to sheets.google.com.

The images in this post are from my Blog Post Tracker. This template is available in the Efficient Biz Builder (EBB) membership.

Adjusting Font Size in Google Sheets

Want to make your text easier to read or emphasize certain parts of your sheet? Here’s how you can adjust font size with just a few clicks:

1. Select the cell or cells you want to modify.
   • You can highlight a single cell, drag to select a range, or click the box in the top-left corner to select the entire sheet.
2. Use the font size dropdown in the toolbar at the top of your Google Sheet.
   • You can either input a custom size or click the plus and minus arrows to increase or decrease it incrementally.
3. Try out different sizes until it looks just right.

Want headers that really stand out? Increase their size and watch the difference it makes.

Changing Font Style: Bold, Italic, Underline, and More

Google Sheets gives you plenty of ways to tweak the style of your text. Let’s look at the basics:

• Bold: Click the bold “B” button in the toolbar or use the shortcut Ctrl + B.
• Italic: Select the italic “I” button or press Ctrl + I.
• Underline: This one’s hidden in Google Sheets! You’ll find it under Format > Text > Underline, or you can use Ctrl + U.

Quick Tip: If you're like me and love keyboard shortcuts, the ones above can save you so much time. However, watch out for browser extensions. If an extension uses the same shortcut (like my confetti extension did with Ctrl + B), it might mess up your quick codes.

Strikethrough for Crossed-Out Text

Need to mark something as done or irrelevant? Strikethrough is your friend.

1. Highlight your text.
2. Go to Format > Text > Strikethrough.

Done! It’s a great way to manage progress without fully deleting anything.

Customizing Font Color

Let’s talk color because plain black text isn’t always the most exciting choice. Here’s how to change it:

1. Look for the “A” button with a colored underline in your toolbar.
   • That’s your text color tool.
2. Select your cell(s) and click the button.
3. Choose any color from the dropdown palette.
   • If none of the default colors match your needs, you can customize a shade too.

Pro Tip: Always ensure your text is readable. Light colors on a white background? Not a great look. For example, dark blue text works wonders for most spreadsheets and is what I use for my spreadsheet templates in the Efficient Biz Builder membership.

Adjusting Font Style

Google Sheets also lets you change the entire font style to customize the vibe of your spreadsheet.

1. Select your text.
2. Click the font dropdown in the toolbar (it probably shows “Arial” by default).
3. Pick a new font.
   • Popular choices include Roboto for modern simplicity, Oswald for bold headers, or even playful options like Comic Sans 😂. Ok ok, I heard the groans. I think Comic Sans was overused back in the day and now I think it's the most hated font out there! Let's go with Quicksand as a playful option.

Remember, different fonts serve different purposes. Headers often look better with bold, unique fonts like Oswald or Impact, while regular data works well with more neutral styles.

Tips for Using Fonts While Rebranding PLR Templates

If you’re rebranding a private label rights (PLR) Google Sheets template (like the ones from my membership) or creating something unique for your business, customized fonts can really tie it all together. Use your brand’s colors and fonts for consistency. In just a few clicks, you can make a spreadsheet truly yours.

• Highlight your headers and make them bold, larger, and aligned with your primary brand font.
• Adjust the text color to match your palette.
• Use different styles for section labels, totals, or other important data areas.

Keep it simple, though. Overdoing it can make your spreadsheet look cluttered.

How Will You Customize Fonts in Google Sheets?

That’s it. With just a few simple steps, you can transform the look and feel of any Google Sheets document. Adjusting the font style, size, and color isn’t just about aesthetics—it's about creating a more organized and impactful experience for anyone who sees your work.

Play around with these features, and don’t forget to experiment with different combinations. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without these tweaks.

Want more Google Sheets tips to boost your productivity? Be sure to follow along and try some of my templates, especially if you’re a member of my course or just love simplicity. The Efficient Biz Builder (EBB) membership is just $9 per month and includes PLR templates you can use in your business, sell, or use as a freebie. It also contains monthly color palettes along with 2 examples of using the palettes to rebrand one of my templates.

You can also find a list of templates to create in this post about 25 Google Sheets For Online Content Creators: Best Templates for Business Organization

Now go forth and make those spreadsheets pop!