Q&A for How to Apply Conditional Formatting in Excel

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How do I get Excel to highlight a particular cell?

Community Answer

Just click on the particular cell you want to highlight, using the mouse pointer.

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Question

How do I convert an Excel formula into conditional formatting?

Community Answer

It is not so much converting a formula as using the conditional formatting to display the results of the data (in this case, through a formula). Let's say, for example, you have an entire column (column C) that is the sum of columns A and B. You can apply conditional formatting to column C to search out certain results, like showing cells greater than 10 with a red background.

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I have created a sheet to manage my stock levels, I have formatted columns J, K, O, and S to highlight red if the expiry date has been exceeded and green if the expiry date falls within 2 months from today. When there is no date in these columns they show red. I want the columns to stay white. What can I do?

Community Answer

You can create a new rule -- "Format only cells that contain", hit "cell value" and choose "blank" instead. Pick whatever formatting you desire. Then ensure this rule is applied first (Applied in Order Shown), and that should solve your problem.

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Question

How can I type a bold underlined word it Excel and save it?

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Community Answer

You can set font and size by default. However, underline cannot set the by default.

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Question

Why does Excel keep formatting "0" with the conditional format set for the cells?

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Community Answer

Because Excel understands 0 as a number, so it colors the data. Conditional formatting always works greater than less than concepts.

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Question

How do I format a cell based on the date in another cell?

Community Answer

Add a column and make a link with the desired date column cells. Now, select the newest column and apply conditional formatting, select "highlight colors based on," and then choose "a date occurring."

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Question

Excel keeps formatting my changes at 100% viewing. How do I keep my view at 150%?

Community Answer

Menus are slightly different in different versions, but generally - the File > Options menu allows you to set the default behavior of your workbooks and worksheets. Also, if you have a format that you prefer or use often, you could Save As a *.xltx filetype (template). This way you could use it when desired, but it wouldn't have to be your default, either.

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Question

Can I add a second rule to an already existing rule?

Community Answer

Yes! I've added up to 3 rules, depending on the auto-color I wanted for a given value. It may be possible to add more.

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Question

Can I apply conditional formatting to only cells with a formula?

Community Answer

No. It can be applied to cells with or without formulas. It only matters what rules are applied to the selected cells.

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