How to create a 3D formatting effect for Excel cells or tables

Microsoft Excel does not contain a practical 3D formatting effect for cells or tables, however you can make cells and tables appear raised or lowered by using the formatting specified below.

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Highlight the cell or cells you'd like to apply the 3D format to.

Right-click the selected area and select "Format cells".

Click the "Border" tab.

On the Format Borders panel, click the "Thin line" then choose a dark colour in the "Colour" drop-down menu, then add borders to the left and top of the "Border" section (shown to the left by "Click here to add borders").

On the Format Borders panel, click the "Medium line" then choose a lighter colour in the "Colour" drop-down menu, then add borders to the right and bottom of the "Border" section.

To emphasise the effect, you can also click the "Fill" tab and choose a very light colour.

Click the "OK" button to apply the formatting.

By swapping the thin/medium line locations, you can format the cell to appear 'raised' or 'sunken'.

You can also use the "Cell styles" feature to create a preset for this formatting so it can be applied easily in the future.

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