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Conditional formatting based on another cell [Google Sheets]
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Google Sheetsincludes various formatting options for users. Its users can apply alternativecellcolor, bold, italic, underline, and font formatting tospreadsheetcells within Sheets.
Those formatting options visually enhancespreadsheets.
Google Sheetsalso includes a handy conditional formatting tool that enables users to apply selected formatting styles to cells that match a specified condition.
With that tool, you can applyconditional formattingto a selectedcellrange that’s based on anothercell’s value.
How can I use conditional formatting based on another cell in Google Sheets?
1. Apply conditional formatting based on a single cell value
Now cells B2, B4, and B5 within the B2:B6 range will have orange cells and bold text as shown in the screenshot directly below.
Those cells have the selected formatting applied to them as they include higher numbers than the value in C2 the condition is based on.
Note thatcellreferences must always be entered as a formula with = preceding the reference. They must also always include a $ sign between the column letters and row numbers.
You can apply conditional formatting to cells that include dates. For example, you could select theDate is beforeoption to apply formatting to acellrange that includes dates based on a date in a referencedcell.
The Format cells if menu also includes several text options. TheText is exactlyoption would apply formatting to cells with text that exactly matches that of a referenced one.
2. Apply conditional formatting based on multiple cell values across columns
What you’ve done in the example above is to apply redcellformatting to cells A2 and A4 based on all thecellvalues in their rows (across columns B to D).
As the rows for January and March include cells with values less than 200, red formatting is applied to the Jan and March row headings.
The above examples show you how to apply relatively basic conditional formatting tospreadsheetsin Google Sheets.
You can enhance yourspreadsheets’ presentation in many ways by applying conditional formatting with custom formulas and the other options on the Format cells if drop-down menu.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
