Formatting Issues

Fix Excel 2016 Conditional Formatting Changing Cell Alignment

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

Centered and middle-aligned cells unexpectedly lose their alignment when a conditional formatting rule is triggered.

Product: Excel Standard 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Applying conditional formatting rules that involve adding a bottom border or underline to cells.
Observed behavior: When the formatting rule applies, manual alignment is overridden. Numbers automatically shift to Right/Top alignment, and text shifts to Left/Top alignment.

Before you start

Ensure your Microsoft Office 2016 is updated to the latest build, as alignment glitches linked to conditional formatting are often patched in subsequent releases.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Excel 2016 or Test in a Newer Version

Since this is a known version-specific bug in older Excel 2016 builds, updating the application or checking the file in Microsoft 365 can resolve the erratic alignment.

Reports indicate this cell alignment issue is largely isolated to Excel Standard 2016. Testing the document in a newer release confirms whether the problem is file corruption or a localized version bug.

Check for Office Updates

Open your affected workbook in Excel 2016. Navigate to File > Account (or Help depending on your exact version).

Apply Available Updates

Click 'Update Options' and select 'Update Now' to ensure you have the latest patches installed. Restart Excel and test the conditional formatting rule.

Test in Excel for the Web

If the issue persists, upload the file to OneDrive and open it in Excel for the Web or Microsoft 365 to verify that the conditional formatting works correctly without altering cell alignments.

Solution 2

Recreate the Conditional Formatting Rule in a Blank Workbook

Sometimes underlying workbook corruption causes erratic alignment behavior. Testing the exact rule in a fresh file helps isolate the bug.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office to Avoid Excel 2016 Formatting Bugs

If Excel 2016 continues to distort your cell alignments during conditional formatting, consider trying WPS Office. It handles advanced formatting rules reliably, is fully compatible with Microsoft Excel files, and provides a modern, lightweight alternative without the legacy bugs of older Office versions.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your computer from the official website.
2. Open Your Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheets and click 'Open' to select your existing Excel 2016 (.xlsx) file.
3. Apply Conditional Formatting: Select your cells, apply your conditional formatting rules from the Home tab, and verify that your centered alignments remain perfectly intact.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx, .xls) and complex conditional formatting rules.Free, lightweight, and fast-loading spreadsheet application.Familiar user interface making migration completely seamless.Cross-platform availability on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does conditional formatting change my cell alignment?

In certain legacy builds of Excel 2016, applying borders or underlines via conditional formatting triggers an unintended bug that overrides your manual cell alignment, causing numbers to shift to the right and text to shift to the left.

Does this alignment bug happen in Microsoft 365?

No. Based on extensive user reports, this specific formatting and alignment glitch is isolated to Excel Standard 2016 and does not occur in newer versions like Microsoft 365 or Excel for the Web.

Can I fix the alignment without upgrading Excel?

You can attempt fixing the issue by updating your Office 2016 to the latest available build via File > Account > Update Options. If Microsoft has not patched your specific build environment, opening the file in Excel for the Web or a free alternative like WPS Office is the best workaround.

Document & File Issues