Set Cell Background Pattern & Color in C# with IronXL

Which Properties Control Background Styling?

The two main properties for controlling background styling in IronXL are FillPattern and BackgroundColor. The FillPattern property accepts values from the IronXL.Styles.FillPattern enum, while BackgroundColor can be set using either the SetBackgroundColor method with a Color object or by directly assigning a hex color code string to the BackgroundColor property.

:path=/static-assets/excel/content-code-examples/how-to/background-pattern-color-set-background-pattern-color.cs

using IronXL;
using IronXL.Styles;
using IronSoftware.Drawing;

WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();
WorkSheet workSheet = workBook.DefaultWorkSheet;

// Set background pattern
workSheet["A1"].Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.AltBars;
workSheet["A2"].Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.ThickVerticalBands;

// Set background color
workSheet["A1"].Style.SetBackgroundColor(Color.Aquamarine);
workSheet["A2"].Style.BackgroundColor = "#ADFF2F";

workBook.SaveAs("setBackgroundPattern.xlsx");

Imports IronXL
Imports IronXL.Styles
Imports IronSoftware.Drawing

Private workBook As WorkBook = WorkBook.Create()
Private workSheet As WorkSheet = workBook.DefaultWorkSheet

' Set background pattern
Private workSheet("A1").Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.AltBars
Private workSheet("A2").Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.ThickVerticalBands

' Set background color
workSheet("A1").Style.SetBackgroundColor(Color.Aquamarine)
workSheet("A2").Style.BackgroundColor = "#ADFF2F"

workBook.SaveAs("setBackgroundPattern.xlsx")

What's the Difference Between SetBackgroundColor and BackgroundColor Property?

Both SetBackgroundColor method and BackgroundColor property achieve the same result but offer different approaches. The SetBackgroundColor method accepts a Color object from the IronSoftware.Drawing namespace, providing access to predefined color names and RGB values. The BackgroundColor property accepts hex color codes as strings, offering precision when you need specific color values. Choose the approach that best fits your workflow—use SetBackgroundColor for named colors and BackgroundColor for hex values.

Can I Apply Patterns to Multiple Cells at Once?

Yes, you can apply patterns and colors to multiple cells simultaneously using range selection. This approach is particularly useful when formatting large datasets or creating consistent visual themes across your spreadsheet. Here's how to apply patterns to entire rows, columns, or custom ranges:

using IronXL;
using IronXL.Styles;
using IronSoftware.Drawing;

WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Load("data.xlsx");
WorkSheet workSheet = workBook.DefaultWorkSheet;

// Apply pattern to entire column
workSheet.GetColumn(0).Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.LightGrid;
workSheet.GetColumn(0).Style.SetBackgroundColor(Color.LightBlue);

// Apply pattern to entire row
workSheet.GetRow(0).Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.DarkHorizontal;
workSheet.GetRow(0).Style.BackgroundColor = "#F0F0F0";

// Apply pattern to custom range
var range = workSheet["B2:D5"];
range.Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.ThinDiagonalStripe;
range.Style.SetBackgroundColor(Color.PaleGreen);

workBook.SaveAs("formatted_data.xlsx");

using IronXL;
using IronXL.Styles;
using IronSoftware.Drawing;

WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Load("data.xlsx");
WorkSheet workSheet = workBook.DefaultWorkSheet;

// Apply pattern to entire column
workSheet.GetColumn(0).Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.LightGrid;
workSheet.GetColumn(0).Style.SetBackgroundColor(Color.LightBlue);

// Apply pattern to entire row
workSheet.GetRow(0).Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.DarkHorizontal;
workSheet.GetRow(0).Style.BackgroundColor = "#F0F0F0";

// Apply pattern to custom range
var range = workSheet["B2:D5"];
range.Style.FillPattern = FillPattern.ThinDiagonalStripe;
range.Style.SetBackgroundColor(Color.PaleGreen);

workBook.SaveAs("formatted_data.xlsx");

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Which Fill Pattern Should I Use for My Data?

Choosing the right fill pattern depends on your data visualization needs. For highlighting important headers or totals, solid patterns (SolidForeground) work best. Diagonal patterns (DiagonalStripe, DiagonalCrosshatch) are ideal for indicating calculated or derived values. Dot patterns (FineDots, SparseDots) can subtly distinguish alternating rows for improved readability. When creating reports or exporting data, consider your audience's printing capabilities—some intricate patterns may not reproduce well on all printers.

How Do Fill Patterns Affect Readability?

Fill patterns significantly impact spreadsheet readability. Light patterns like ThinHorizontalBands or ThinVerticalBands can improve row tracking without overwhelming the data. Dense patterns should be used sparingly, typically for separator rows or special sections. When working with formulas and calculations, avoid patterns that make text difficult to read. Consider color contrast—dark patterns require light text colors, which you can adjust using font styling options.

Can I Create Custom Fill Patterns?

Currently, IronXL provides 19 predefined fill patterns through the FillPattern enum. While custom pattern creation isn't directly supported, you can achieve unique visual effects by combining patterns with strategic color choices and cell borders. For advanced visualization needs, consider using patterns in conjunction with conditional formatting to create dynamic, data-driven visual indicators. When importing Excel files that contain custom patterns created in Excel, IronXL will preserve these patterns where possible.

For complex reporting requirements, you can combine background patterns with other formatting features like merging cells and adding images to create professional-looking spreadsheets that effectively communicate your data insights.