The retro graphics style or 8-bit used to be popular around the 1980s especially on video games.
Well, if you are bored at work, you can create your own 8-bit art using Microsoft Excel — yup, the program that you might already use daily.
Fill each cell one by one with color until you see your favorite video game character starts to appear.
How to make 8-bit art using Microsoft Excel
NOTE: I’m using Microsoft Excel 2013, but the guide should be relevant to other versions.
1. Open a new blank sheet on Microsoft Excel. Select all cells by pressing CTRL+A simultaneously, and the outcome will be like this.
2. After cells are selected, go to the Home tab, then select Format, and select Column Width…
3. Now, put number 2.14 on the box and click OK. This number means all cells will be converted into an asymmetric rectangular shape.
4. If the cells become like this, you are on the right track. Meanwhile, in the rare case, 2.14 isn’t matched with the size of the cells — then you have to try guessing the correct number.
5. To create a pixel style, select the cell(s) and pick the background color you want.
I recommend you draw the character based on an existing image to make it easier. It also provides a perfect ratio for every single cell.
For example, this is what I made using Microsoft Excel — Super Mario with Goomba.
After your first 8-bit art is finished, you can save the document and convert it into image format.
Some reliable XLS to image (PNG/JPEG) converters are available for free, such as Zamzar, Convertio, and Aconvert.
This is the result after I converted it into PNG. The complete resolution is 3040 x 1656 pixels, very crisp and huge. You probably want to see the full resolution here.
So, how about you? How was your first 8-bit art made using Microsoft Excel? Let me know in the comment section below!
