Here’s a color palette that combines pastel shades with contrasting darker colors, perfect for creating an eye-catching and balanced Excel palette:

### Color Palette: Pastel & Dark Contrast

| Color Name       | Hex Code | Description                         |
|------------------|----------|-------------------------------------|
| Pastel Pink      | 
                            
                            #F8BBD0
                          | A soft pink that brings warmth.     |
| Pastel Blue      | 
                            
                            #A7C7E7
                          | A calming light blue for serenity.  |
| Pastel Green     | 
                            
                            #B2E1B8
                          | A refreshing light green.           |
| Pastel Yellow    | 
                            
                            #FCE4A7
                          | A cheerful pastel yellow for brightness. |
| Pastel Lavender   | 
                            
                            #E1B7E1
                          | A gentle lavender adding elegance.  |
| Pastel Peach     | 
                            
                            #FFCCB3
                          | A warm peach that invites comfort.  |
| Dark Charcoal    | 
                            
                            #333333
                          | A deep charcoal for strong contrast.|
| Dark Teal        | 
                            
                            #005D5D
                          | A rich teal that adds depth.        |
| Dark Plum        | 
                            
                            #6F2C91
                          | A bold plum for dramatic emphasis.   |
| Dark Olive       | 
                            
                            #5D6A3D
                          | A dark olive that grounds the palette.|
| Dark Slate Blue  | 
                            
                            #3B5998
                          | A dark blue that adds sophistication.|
| Dark Burgundy     | 
                            
                            #800020
                          | A deep burgundy for a touch of luxury.|

### Palette Description:
This color palette features a harmonious blend of soft pastel colors alongside deeper, contrasting hues. The pastels provide a light and airy feel, perfect for backgrounds or subtle highlights. The darker colors serve as bold accents, enhancing the overall visual impact while ensuring readability and clarity in data presentation. This balance makes it ideal for use in Excel spreadsheets, where clear differentiation between categories or data sets is essential.