The Basics of Conditional Formatting

Excel's conditional formatting provides you with yet another option to present your data in a visual way. What's unique about it, is that it allows the style and format of cells to change dynamically when the content of these cells change.

In order to draw attention on a single or repeated value, you can change its font style, color, bold it, or change the background of the cell it is in. This might help you find duplicates, or the highest or lowest value, or just some specific value of interest.

In the accompanying video you will see an example of applying different colors to the different pets so they are easy to differentiate.

How to apply simple conditional formatting?

Here are the steps for applying conditional formatting of the type:
"If a cell is equal to [some value - a word or a number], then give it a certain color".

1. Select the relevant range of cells. (you can apply the rule to a single cell too).
2. Click the Conditional Formatting button, and choose the first option ("Highlight Cells Rules").
3. Choose "Equal To…"
4. Type the certain value (that if exists will become formatted).
5. Choose the color from the drop down menu on the right.
   (You can also choose “Custom Format…” and then from the “Fill” tab choose a specific color, or from the “Font” tab choose a specific format such as bold, underline, font color etc.).
6. Click OK.