Conditional Formatting

Question: How do I get Excel to change the cell colours automatically?


This effect is called Conditional Formatting. I will explain and apply conditional formatting to the below table so that...

• Any number under 4 is highlighted in RED
• Any number between 5 and 7 is highlighted in ORANGE
• Any number which is 8 or above is highlighted in GREEN

- First create the example table in a new worksheet

- Select cell C2 with your mouse, and then select Format > Conditional Formatting ... and you will see the following editing box:

- Click the drop down box where is says 'between' and you will be given a list of alternative conditions. Select Less Than, and in the next box enter the number 5.

- Now click on the 'Format' button and select the colour you want the cell to change (colours can be found in the Patterns tab).

- The next step is to select the 'Add' button to add a new condition to the cell.

- This time you want to select 'between' from the drop down box, add the numbers 5 and 7, and select a Format colour of orange.

- Finally, you need to add the third condition which is greater than the number 7, and is formatted green, as shown below:

- Press OK to close the Conditional Formatting dialog box. Then click on the Format Painter (the icon show on the left) and copy the formatting you have assigned from cell C2 to C5.

- Your final result should look like this ...