Formattable spreadsheet table elements with automatic updating

Spreadsheets are subdivided into formattable table elements that may include multiple table cells so that the multiple table cells can be formatted as a single element. As such, a gradient format can be applied across the range of multiple table cells instead of to individual table cells. A format property can be applied to a spreadsheet table to provide alternating table element formats that are automatically updated when cells or formattable table elements are added, deleted, hidden, shown or moved. As a result, when a table modification is made, the alternating format of the table is updated before the table is rendered on a display.