Conditional Formatting

Sometimes it is useful to apply a set of formatting rules only under a certain (set of) condition(s). In other words, if the contents of a cell meets a certain condition, then Excel will display the cell contents with predefined formatting; if the contents do not meet the condition, then the formatting is not applied.

Examples of items that might be appropriate for conditional formatting:

profit and loss (if the number is less than zero, display in red and italicized; numbers equal to zero display in italics; numbers greater than zero display as normal)
grades (if the grade is “D”, display in italics; if the grade is “F”, display in red; if the grade is “C” or higher, display as normal)

To Set Conditional Formatting

Highlight the cell(s) to which you wish to apply conditional formatting
choose FORMATConditional Formatting
the Conditional Formatting Dialog Box
- you are about to set “Condition 1” (you can set more than one condition)
- the first drop-down box allows you to set a condition based upon the “Cell Value Is” (shown) or the “Formula Is” (not shown).
- the second drop-down box allows you to set a criteria
  - between (shown)
  - not between
  - equal to
  - not equal to
  - greater than
  - less than
  - greater than or equal to
  - less than or equal to

The Conditional Formatting Dialog Box
Excel XP
(Excel X is the same)

enter the values in the third and fourth boxes (the fourth box will only be available if you select “between” or “not between”
click theto display the Format Cells Dialog Box (this dialog box is essentially the same as that displayed when you select FORMAT Cells and choose the “Font” tab, click here to review this dialog box)
- select the type of formatting you desire (font, font size, color, etc.)
- click
- the Conditional Formatting Dialog Box reappears and the preview area displays the selected formatting
you now have two options, you may do one or the other
- clickto apply the conditional formatting and close this dialog box
- clickto apply the conditional formatting and then create a second condition
- is used to delete a previously defined conditional format

In the example gradesheet created earlier, can you set a conditional format sp that any “F” grades will display as bold and red?

Conditional Formatting

To Set Conditional Formatting

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