Conditional formatting is a powerful feature in Excel that allows users to apply complex formatting rules based on formulas. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore more examples of this incredible Excel capability, providing step-by-step instructions and practical examples.
Utilizing Excel’s conditional formatting with a formula option involves the following steps:
Select the Range:
Identify the range where the formatting will be applied.
Access Conditional Formatting:
From the Home Tab, select Conditional Formatting and then choose New Rule.
Choose "Use a Formula":
Opt for the "Use a Formula" option to enable formula-based formatting.
Enter the Formula:
In the upper left-hand corner of the selected range, input a formula starting with the equals sign (=). This formula will be copied across and down the selected range, determining when the desired format is applied.
It's essential to pay attention to the placement of dollar signs ($) in the formula to ensure accurate referencing. Let's explore more examples using the file Vishalmarch2020.xlsx.
Example 1: Highlighting Best Sales Month for Each Store
In the worksheet "Best for Store" (Figure 1), we aim to highlight the best sales month for each store.
Figure 1: Largest sales for each store is highlighted
Formula:
excel
Copy code
= F4 = MAX($F4:$H4)
This formula, when copied across the selected range (F4:H16), compares each cell to the largest number in its column. The dollar signs ensure that the comparison is always made with the largest number in the same column within rows 4-15. The cell is highlighted if it equals the largest number in its column.
Example 2: Highlighting Best Sales Month for Each Month
In the worksheet "Best for Month" (Figure 3), the objective is to highlight the store with the largest sales for each month.
Figure 3: Largest sales for each month is highlighted
Formula:
excel
Copy code
= F4 = MAX(F4:H4)
When this formula is copied across the selected range (F4:H16), it compares each cell to the largest number in its row. The cell is highlighted in yellow only if it is the largest number in its row.
Example 3: Highlighting Overall Best Sales
In the worksheet "Best Overall" (Figure 5), the focus is on highlighting the overall best sales.
Figure 5: Largest sales overall is highlighted
Formula:
excel
Copy code
= F4 = MAX($F$4:$H$16)
The formula, when applied to the range F4:H16, compares each cell to the largest number in the entire range. Cells are highlighted in yellow if and only if they contain the largest number in the range F4:H16.
Mastering conditional formatting with formulas in Excel opens up a world of possibilities for data visualization and analysis. These examples demonstrate the versatility of Excel in highlighting specific conditions within a dataset. As you delve deeper into the world of Excel, consider exploring more complex examples of conditional formatting in Part 3 of this series for an even deeper understanding of this powerful feature.