Conditional Formatting in Excel

The conditional formatting excel feature changes the appearance of a cell by changing its fill
color, border, font color, and so on. With such changes, certain data cells can be distinguished
from the others. This feature is available in the “styles” group of the Home tab.

A conditional formatting rule in excel can fulfill a variety of conditions. Some of these are
listed as follows:

 Format values greater than, less than, between, equal to

 Format values above or below the average
 Highlight the top or bottom 10 items
 Highlight the top or bottom 10%
 Highlight the duplicate or unique items
 Format a date falling within a certain period
 Format text containing certain words or characters
 Format cells using a conditional formatting formula

This list is not exhaustive. One can explore more conditions or create a new conditional
formatting rule in Excel.

Note: Conditional formatting is different from simple formatting in Excel. This is because

the application of the former requires a condition to be met, while the latter is not condition-
based.
How to Apply Conditional Formatting in Excel?

Let us consider some examples to understand the working of conditional formatting in Excel.

Example #1–Apply the “Equal To” Conditional Formatting Rule to a Single Numeric
Cell

The following image shows a numerical value in cell A1. We want to color the given cell
(range clause) red if the value it contains is equal to 1 (condition clause).

The steps to apply conditional formatting in excel to the given cell (A1) are listed as follows:

1. Select cell A1. Click the “conditional formatting” drop-down from the “styles” group of
the Home tab. Choose “new rule,” as shown in the following image.
2. The “new formatting rule” window opens, as shown in the following image. Under
“select a rule type,” choose the option “use a formula to determine which cells to
format.”

3. Click inside the box under “format values where this formula is true.” Select cell A1 on
which conditional formatting should be applied. The cell reference “=$A$1” appears in
 this box, as shown in the following image.

Alternatively, one can type the absolute reference “=$A$1” in the box displayed within
the red rectangle.

4. Complete the formula entered in the preceding step. The entire formula is “=$A$1=1”
(exclude the beginning and ending double quotation marks).
5. Click “format,” shown in a red box in the following image.

6. The “format cells” dialog box opens, as shown in the following image. Click the “fill”
tab.
7. Select the desired color. We have selected red. Click “Ok.”
8. Check the preview in the box to the right of “preview.” The formatting of cell A1 will
match the preview displayed in this step.

If the preview is fine, click “Ok” in the “new formatting rule” dialog box.

Note: If the preview is not satisfactory, one can make changes by clicking the “format”
button again.
9. Once “Ok” is clicked in the preceding step, the “new formatting rule” window closes.
The output appears, as shown in the following image. Cell A1 has been colored red. This
is because this cell meets the stated condition, which was, “if the value is 1, color the cell
red.”

Hence, it has been proved that the value of cell A1 does equal to 1. Such validations are
quite helpful when the dataset is large and one wants to know which cell contains what
value.

Example #2–Apply the “Greater Than” Conditional Formatting Rule to a Numeric

Range

The succeeding image shows certain numerical values in the range A5:A19. We want to
highlight the values that are greater than 30 (condition clause) in the given range (range
clause).
The steps for applying the given conditional formatting rule in excel to the stated range are
listed as follows:

Step 1: Select the range A5:A19 on which conditional formatting is to be applied.

Subsequently, from the “conditional formatting” drop-down (in the Home tab), choose
“highlight cells rules.” Next, select “greater than.”

Step 2: The “greater than” window opens, as shown in the following image. Under “format
cells that are greater than,” enter 30. This is because the values greater than 30 are to be
highlighted.

Select the desired color in the box to the right of “with.” We have selected “light red fill with
dark red text.” Click “Ok” to proceed.

Step 3: The output is shown in the following image. Hence, the values in the range A5:A19
that are greater than 30 have been highlighted.
In total, 8 cells contain values greater than 30. Since all these cells are appearing in a
different color, one can easily distinguish them from the other cells of the dataset.

Example #3–Apply the “Duplicate Values” Conditional Formatting Rule to a Numeric

Range

Working on the dataset of example #1, we want to highlight the duplicate values (condition
clause) in the range A5:A19 (range clause). Use the conditional formatting technique of
Excel.
The steps to highlight duplicates in the given range are listed as follows:

Step 1: From the “conditional formatting” drop-down in the Home tab, select “highlight cells
rules.” Choose the option “duplicate values,” as shown in the following image.
Step 2: The “duplicate values” window appears. In the first box to the left, select “duplicate.”
In the box to the right, select the required color. We have chosen “light red fill with dark red
text.”

Next, click “Ok.”

Step 3: The output is shown in the following image. The duplicate values in the range
A5:A19 have been highlighted in the chosen color. Hence, the duplicates can be easily
distinguished from the unique values.

As the next step, one can decide whether to retain or delete the single duplicate value of the
dataset. Moreover, had the dataset been much larger than the present one, identifying
duplicates by mere observation would have been difficult. So, in such cases, conditional
formatting would have helped the user know which cells contain duplicate values.
Example #4–Apply “A Date Occurring” Conditional Formatting Rule to a Date Range

The following image shows some random dates of the year 2018. We want to highlight those
dates in the range E4:E19 (range clause), which pertain to the current week (condition
clause). Use the conditional formatting tool of Excel.

Note that this article was created in the last week of October 2018. This covers the period
from October 28 to November 3 of 2018.
The steps to apply the given conditional formatting to the date range in excel are listed as
follows:

Step 1: Select the range E4:E19 containing dates. From the Home tab, click the “conditional
formatting” drop-down. Choose “highlight cells rules” and click the option “a date
occurring.” This is shown in the following image.

Step 2: A new window titled “a date occurring” opens. Several options related to dates can
be seen in the box to the left. These options are shown within a red box in the following
image.

Step 3: From the box on the left, select “this week.” In the box to the right of “with,” we
have chosen the color “light red fill with dark red text.” Click “Ok.”
 Step 4: The output is shown in the following image. The dates falling in the current week
(10/28/2018 to 11/03/2018) are highlighted. A total of four dates relate to this period.

Remember that once “this week” is selected, Excel automatically takes into account the dates
of the present week. So, after selecting “this week,” had we been in the last week of
December 2021, Excel would have considered this period for applying the given conditional
formatting rule.

Example #5–Apply Multiple Conditional Formatting Rules to a Single Numeric Range

The following image shows some dates and numbers in columns G and H respectively. We
want to apply multiple conditional formatting rules to column H (range clause), which are
listed as follows (two conditional clauses):

 Highlight the numbers lying between 31 and 43 (both inclusive).

 Highlight the numbers less than 0.

Use the conditional formatting feature of Excel.

Step 1: Select the range H5:H20. From the “conditional formatting” drop-down, choose
“highlight cells rules.” Next, click “between.”

Note: Ignore the alignment of the label “count,” which has changed from “left” to “center” in
the following image. This is due to the different versions of Excel being used to create
images.

Step 2: The “between” dialog box opens. Enter the numbers 31 and 43 in the first and second
boxes respectively. These are shown in a red box in the following image.

Step 3: Select the desired color for highlighting the cell values. We have chosen “yellow fill
with dark yellow text.” Next, click “Ok.”
Step 4: The output is shown in the following image. The numbers of column H, which are
between 31 and 43, have been highlighted.

Had there been numbers 31 and 43 in column H, they too would have been highlighted. This
is because both the upper and lower limits are included in the “between” condition.

Step 5: For applying the second condition, select the formatted range H5:H20. Since we want
to apply multiple conditional formatting rules to the same range, ensure that the output
(H5:H20 to which formatting has been applied) of the preceding step is selected.

Next, from the “conditional formatting” drop-down, choose “highlight cells rules.” Click
“less than” and the succeeding window opens.

In the box to the left, enter 0. In the box to the right, select the desired color. We have chosen
“light red fill with dark red text.” Click “Ok.”
Note: It is recommended to choose different colors while applying multiple conditional
formatting rules to the same excel range. This helps distinguish between the different
outcomes.

Step 6: The output is shown in the following image. The negative numbers in column H have
been highlighted in light red color.

Now, column H shows outcomes based on two criteria. The result of the first conditional
formatting rule (between 31 and 43) is in yellow, while the result of the second one (less than
0) is in light red. In this example, the two criteria (or conditions) were not overlapping. This
is the reason it is easy to compare the two outputs.

In overlapping criteria, the first condition may be to highlight numbers lying between 31 and
43. The second condition may be to highlight numbers equal to 42. In such cases, comparison
between the outcomes of the two conditions may become difficult.

Note: For changing priorities of multiple conditional formatting rules, refer to the second
question under the heading “frequently asked questions.” This section is given at the end of
this article.
Example #6–Apply “Data Bars,” “Color Scales,” and “Icon Sets” Formatting Methods
to Multiple Numeric Ranges

In the subsequent images, the values of the “count” column (of example #4) have been pasted
in three different columns titled “count1,” “count2,” and “count3.” Format the ranges
L6:L21, K6:K21, and M6:M21 by using data bars, color scales, and icon sets respectively.
Show only the usage of the stated formatting methods without creating a new conditional
formatting rule. There are three range clauses (three given ranges) in this example but no
conditional clause.

The steps for using the stated formatting methods are listed as follows:

Step 1: Select the range L6:L21. From the “conditional formatting” drop-down, choose “data
bars.” Next, select the desired color theme. We have chosen “blue data bar” from “gradient
fill.”  

The selection is shown in the following image. Notice that while selecting the color theme,
Excel displays a preview (on the selected range) in the background.

Note: Data bars, color scales, and icon sets are the different conditional formatting
techniques in excel that visually enhance the appearance of a dataset. In these techniques, the
bars, shapes, color patterns, arrows, etc., are used to represent data.
Step 2: Select the range K6:K21. From the “conditional formatting” drop-down, choose
“color scales.” We have selected the “green-yellow-red” color scale.

One can observe the selected theme in the background of the following image.
Step 3: Select the range M6:M21. From the “conditional formatting” drop-down, choose
“icon sets.” Select the desired theme. We have selected “3 arrows (colored)” from the
“directional” icon sets.

The selection is shown in the following image.

Step 4: The final output is shown in the following image. Notice how formatting has changed
the appearance of the given dataset.

In all three ranges, the negative numbers have been colored differently. This helps distinguish
between negative and positive numbers. For instance, -12 has been colored red (in the range
K6:K21) by the color scale formatting method. With icon sets formatting, this number has
been allotted a red, downward arrow (in the range M6:M21).

With the data bars formatting technique, the negative numbers (of range L6:L21) have
leftward bars, while positive numbers have rightward bars. Moreover, bigger numbers have
longer bars, while smaller numbers have shorter bars.
Example #7–Apply the “Equal To” Conditional Formatting Rule by Using a VBA Code

It is possible to apply a conditional formatting rule by using a VBA code. For instance,
with the condition “A1=1,” a VBA code is written as follows:
Sub Example()
ThisWorkbook.Worksheets(1).Range(“A1”).Select
With ThisWorkbook.Worksheets(1).Range(“B1”)
.FormatConditions.Delete
.FormatConditions.Add Type:=xlExpression, _
Formula1:=”=A1=1″
.FormatConditions(1).Interior.ColorIndex = 46
End With
End Sub
You can download the conditional formatting template here–Conditional Formatting Excel
Template.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is conditional formatting and when is it used in Excel?

Conditional formatting in excel helps apply a specified format to one or more cells subject to
the fulfillment of a condition. Prior to applying a conditional formatting rule, the cell or cell
range needs to be selected. Conditional formatting can be applied to a row, column, table, or
PivotTable.

Conditional formatting eases comparisons across data values and thereby facilitates data
analysis. The conditional formatting feature is used in the following situations:

a. When there is a need to distinguish some cells from the others

b. When there is a need to highlight the important information of a worksheet

Note: For details related to the working of the conditional formatting feature, refer to the
examples of this article.

2. In case of multiple conditional formatting rules, which rule assumes priority in

Excel? State the steps to change the precedence (priority) of the conditional formatting
rules.
It is possible to apply as many conditional formatting rules to one range, as required.
However, in such cases, the rule at the topmost position in the “conditional formatting rules
manager” assumes the highest priority. The lower the rule in this window, the lower is its
importance (priority).

The steps to change the precedence of the conditional formatting rules in excel are listed
as follows:

a. Select the range on which multiple conditional formatting rules have been applied.
b. In the Home tab, click the “conditional formatting” drop-down from the “styles” group.
Next, click “manage rules.”
c. The “conditional formatting rules manager” window opens. Select a rule by clicking it
once.
d. Change the importance of the rules by moving them up or down with the “move up” or
“move down” buttons. These buttons are in the form of upward and downward arrows
displayed to the right of the “delete rule” button.
e. Select the “stop if true” checkbox, if required. When this check box is selected, Excel stops
evaluation at that rule, if it evaluates to true. For instance, there are three rules and the “stop
if true” checkbox is checked for the first rule. Then, either of the following outcomes can be
obtained:
• If a particular cell within the selected range meets the first rule, the formatting set for this
rule is applied. The remaining two rules are not evaluated for this cell.
• If a cell within the selected range does not meet the first rule, the other two rules are also
evaluated and accordingly, formatting is applied.

The importance of the multiple conditional formatting rules (applied to the selected range) is
changed.

3. How to copy and delete the conditional formatting rules in Excel?

The steps to copy the conditional formatting rule from one range to the other are listed
as follows:

a. Select any cell of the first range to which a conditional formatting rule has been applied.
b. From the Home tab, click “format painter.” The mouse pointer changes to a paintbrush
icon.
c. Click the first cell of the new range where the conditional formatting rule has to be pasted.
Drag the paintbrush icon to the last cell of this range. Release the mouse when done.

The conditional formatting rule is copied to the new range.

The steps to delete (or remove) the conditional formatting rules are listed as follows:
a. Select the range from which the conditional formatting rule has to be removed.
b. From the “conditional formatting” drop-down in the Home tab, choose “clear rules.” Select
an option depending on whether the formatting rule has to be cleared from the selection,
The conditional formatting rule is cleared depending on the selections in both the preceding
pointers.

Note: Alternatively, after selecting the range, one can click “manage rules” from the
“conditional formatting” drop-down. The “conditional formatting rules manager” window
opens. Next, remove any of the applied rules by selecting the rule and clicking “delete rule.”
Note that only one rule can be selected at a time.