You probably open Microsoft Excel and get ready to get your head into some numbers, but have you ever thought of it as a tool for making pixel art? That plain-looking spreadsheet can double as your little digital sketchpad!
Interested? Well, here’s how to get started!
- Open a blank Excel file. You can also use similar software, such as Google Sheets.
- Turn the cells into squares (so each square can become a pixel). Click the square in the top-left corner to select everything, then right-click a column letter, choose “Column Width,” and set it to about 2.14. You’ll also want to adjust the row height to around 15. Now you’ve got a grid ready to go.
Now comes the fun part: colouring in the cells! Use the “Fill Colour” bucket on the toolbar to change each cell’s background. Each cell = one pixel. Start simple—think hearts, smiley faces, or a character. Here’s one we made below for inspiration, and you can find plenty of templates online, too!
Want to go a step further?
- You can plan out your design by grabbing some graph paper, sketching your idea, and then recreating it cell by cell in Excel.
- If you want a challenge, you can play with shading using lighter or darker tones to add some depth.
And that’s it! It’s relaxing, kind of like an online colouring book. Plus, you can save and share your creations just like any other file, or make different frames on separate sheets if you’re feeling extra and want to try animating something.
Bottom line: Excel isn’t just for accountants anymore. So next time you need a creative outlet, give pixel art in Excel a shot. It’s cooler than it sounds.
