Forum Discussion
how to add colors without using the template for tables
Sounds like you're at the stage where your new 'best friend' could be the 'undo' button ('ctrl+z', if you want a shortcut)! You might also consider keeping a backup copy of your workbook if you think you may perpetrate a disaster.
It is possible to shade alternate rows by using Conditional Formatting with a formula
=ISEVEN(ROW(A1))
but I do not recommend it. Use a Table and choose a style to suite your taste*. That will place you one step ahead of the basic spreadsheet user when it comes to having usable data.
* I always use Table Design on the Ribbon to select the light grey style and then I remove filters and banded rows but that would defeat your objective.
IMHO, there is no suitable style with banded rows and columns plus alternate rows. Thus options are to create own style, or =MOD(ROW(),2) on the top of the existing style. The latest is the common practice, in particular it is used in Microsoft templates.