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Excel -- Conditional Formatting -- Introduction
- Conditional Formatting -- Introduction
- Conditional Formatting -- Based on another cell
- Conditional Formatting -- Examples
Download a zipped sample file
To view the steps in a short video, click here
What is Conditional Formatting?
Conditional formatting allows you to set rules for cell formatting. If the rules (conditions) are met, then the formatting is applied. In Excel 2003, and earlier versions, you can have up to 3 rules in a cell.
For example, you can set conditional formatting so that a cell turns blue if it contains a value higher than 75 and turns green if it contains a value lower than 50.
Apply Conditional Formatting to a Cell
1. Select the cells to be formatted
2. Choose Format>Conditional Formatting...
3. Leave the first drop-down box set to Cell Value Is
4. In the second drop-down box, choose one of the operators. In this example, choose 'greater than'
5. In the text box, type a number or a cell reference. In this example, type the value you want to check -- 75.
6. Click the Format button
7. On the Patterns tab, select a colour for the conditional formatting -- blue, in this example.
You can also choose a Font format or a cell Border.
8. Click OK.
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9. To add another conditional format, click the Add button.
10. Repeat steps 3 to 8, using the values and colours for the second conditional format.
11. Click OK, to return to the worksheet.
- Conditional Formatting -- Introduction
- Conditional Formatting -- Based on another cell
- Conditional Formatting -- Examples
- Conditional Formatting -- Documentation