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To remove a manually applied background color in Google Sheets on a computer, select the cell or range, open the toolbar’s Fill color menu, and choose Reset. To add or change a fill, select the cells and choose a color from the same menu. If a cell stays colored, check whether conditional formatting is applying the color.
How to add or change a cell’s fill color
Fill color is the background formatting behind the text in a cell. These steps follow Google’s computer-based Sheets instructions; they are not verified mobile-app directions.
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- Select the cell or range. Drag across adjacent cells to select them. To select separate cells, use Ctrl-click on Windows or Command-click on Mac, as described in Google’s spreadsheet editing help.
- Click Fill color in the toolbar.
- Choose a preset color to apply it to the selected cells. For a specific shade, Google’s color instructions also describe entering a HEX or RGB value. The eyedropper is available in Chrome and Edge.
How to remove a manually applied fill
Select the cell or range, click the toolbar’s Fill color control, then choose Reset. This removes the fill without using the broader clear-formatting command. The Reset step is documented in a Google Docs Editors Community answer by a Product Expert, rather than in the official help page: Google Sheets Community answer.
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If the color remains: check conditional formatting
A cell can look filled because a conditional-formatting rule applies a background color when its condition is true. Changing the manual fill will not necessarily remove that rule-based appearance.
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Amazon Basics Wired QWERTY Keyboard, Works with Windows, Plug and Play, Easy to Use with Media Control, Full-Sized, Black
- KEYBOARD: The keyboard works for Windows with hot keys that enable easy access to Media, My Computer, Mute, Volume up/down, and Calculator
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- Select a cell in the colored area and open Format > Conditional formatting.
- Review the rules in the side panel and check their ranges and conditions. Google says rules are evaluated in listed order; the first rule found to be true defines the format of the cell or range.
- Edit the relevant rule, or remove it from the side panel if you no longer want it. See Google’s conditional-formatting instructions.
Fill reset versus clearing all formatting
| Action | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Fill color > Reset | Resets the manually applied fill, according to a Google Docs Editors Community Product Expert answer. | When you want to remove the cell background but keep other formatting. |
| Format > Clear formatting | Clears formatting generally, not only the fill. | When you want to remove broader formatting from the selection and are willing to lose formatting you may want to keep. |
Google documents Format > Clear formatting in its screen-reader instructions. The keyboard shortcuts are Ctrl+Backslash on Windows or ChromeOS and Command+Backslash on macOS. Because this clears formatting beyond the background color, use the Fill color reset when fill is the only thing you want to change.
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Logitech K270 Full Size Wireless Keyboard for Windows - Black | Full-size keyboard with number pad, 8 multimedia keys, includes USB-A receiver, 2-year battery, compatible with PC, laptop
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Redragon K521 Upgrade Rainbow LED Gaming Keyboard, 104 Keys Wired Mechanical Feeling Keyboard with Multimedia Keys, One-Touch Backlit, Anti-Ghosting, Compatible with PC, Mac, PS4/5, Xbox
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Logitech K120 Full Size Wired Keyboard USB Plug-and-Play Windows - Black
- All-day Comfort: The design of this standard keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the deep-profile keys and full-size standard layout with F-keys and number pad
- Easy to Set-up and Use: Set-up couldn't be easier, you simply plug in this corded keyboard via USB on your desktop or laptop and start using right away without any software installation
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Logitech MK270 Full Size Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo - Black | Full size keyboard with spill-resistant design, compact ambidextrous mouse, connect via single included USB-A Nano Receiver
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
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