When working in Google Sheets, you may occasionally apply background colors to highlight data or organize your spreadsheet visually. However, there are times when you need to remove that shading completely—whether for a cleaner look, a new formatting style, or to prepare your sheet for printing.
The good news is that removing shading from cells in Google Sheets is quick and easy, and you can do it using multiple methods depending on your workflow. This guide walks you through every possible approach with simple, beginner-friendly steps.
What Is Cell Shading in Google Sheets?
Cell shading—also called background color—refers to any fill color applied to a cell or range of cells. It helps differentiate data but can cause clutter if overused. Removing this shading restores the cell to a white (default) background.
Common reasons to remove shading include:
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Cleaning up a formatted sheet
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Removing conditional formatting highlights
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Preparing a document for printing
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Creating a uniform design
How to Remove Shading From Cells in Google Sheets
Below are all the best and easiest methods. Use whichever suits your situation.
Method 1: Remove Shading Using the Toolbar
This is the fastest and simplest option.
Steps
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Open your Google Sheet.
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Select the cell(s) with shading you want to remove.
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Click the Fill Color icon on the toolbar (paint bucket symbol).
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Choose Reset / None or pick White as the background color.
Your shading disappears instantly.
Method 2: Clear Formatting to Remove All Styles at Once
If you want to remove not just shading but all formatting (font color, styles, borders, etc.), this method works great.
Steps
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Highlight the cells you want to reset.
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Go to Format in the top menu.
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Click Clear formatting (or press Ctrl + \).
This resets everything to default Google Sheets styling—including background shading.
Method 3: Remove Shading From Conditional Formatting
Sometimes shading doesn’t come from manual formatting but from a conditional formatting rule. Simply changing the fill color won’t remove it.
Steps
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Select the cells showing unwanted shading.
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Go to Format > Conditional formatting.
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Look for any rules applying color to the selected cells.
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Either:
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Delete the rule, or
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Modify it to remove the background color.
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Click Done.
The shading should now disappear.
Method 4: Use the “Paint Format” Tool to Copy a Clean Style
If you want to remove shading across multiple sections while preserving text formatting, this method is perfect.
Steps
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Find a cell with no shading and the formatting you want.
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Click the Paint Format tool (paint roller icon).
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Click on the cells with shading.
Google Sheets will apply the clean formatting and remove the shading instantly.
Method 5: Reset Shading Using Right-Click Menu
A simple, alternative way.
Steps
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Select your shaded cells.
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Right-click and choose Format cells.
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Locate the Fill Color option.
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Select None or White to remove background shading.
Tips for Managing Cell Shading Efficiently in Google Sheets
✔ Use consistent color themes
Avoid random colors—use uniform shading styles to make large sheets easier to read.
✔ Avoid overusing conditional formatting
Too many rules can create clutter and slow performance.
✔ Use themes to auto-reset formatting
Google Sheets’ themes often override shading for a cleaner layout.
✔ Apply shading only where necessary
Highlight only the most important cells to maintain clarity.
Common Problems and Fixes
Shading won’t disappear even after removing background
This usually means:
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A conditional formatting rule is still active
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A theme color is applied
Go to Format > Conditional formatting and check for active rules.
Only part of the cell loses shading
Make sure you selected the entire cell range, not just a portion of merged cells.
Background color keeps coming back
A script or add-on may be applying formatting. Disable them temporarily.
Conclusion
Removing shading from cells in Google Sheets is simple once you know where the formatting comes from—manual fill color, conditional rules, or themes. Whether you’re cleaning up a spreadsheet, preparing for presentation, or resetting formatting, the methods above ensure your sheet looks clean, professional, and easy to read.
By following this guide, you can remove shading quickly and keep your Google Sheets organized and visually appealing.
