How to Use Custom Formula in Conditional Formatting
Conditional formatting is a powerful feature in spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets that allows users to automatically format cells based on specific conditions. While built-in conditional formatting rules cover many common scenarios, there are times when you need more flexibility and control over the formatting. This is where custom formulas come into play. In this article, we will guide you through the process of using custom formulas in conditional formatting to achieve your desired results.
Understanding Custom Formulas
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to understand that custom formulas in conditional formatting are essentially the same as regular formulas you would use in a cell. These formulas are based on the cell’s value, and they can be as simple or complex as needed. The goal is to create a formula that evaluates the cell’s value and returns a TRUE or FALSE result, which Excel or Google Sheets will then use to apply the specified formatting.
Creating a Custom Formula in Excel
To create a custom formula in Excel, follow these steps:
1. Select the range of cells you want to apply conditional formatting to.
2. Go to the “Home” tab and click on “Conditional Formatting” in the “Styles” group.
3. Choose “New Rule” from the dropdown menu.
4. In the “New Formatting Rule” dialog box, select “Use a formula to determine which cells to format.”
5. Enter your custom formula in the “Format values where this formula is true” field. Make sure to use the cell reference correctly and include the comparison operator (e.g., “>=”, “<=", "=").
6. Click "Format" to select the formatting style you want to apply to the cells that meet the condition.
7. Click "OK" to close the "Format Cells" dialog box.
8. Click "OK" again to close the "New Formatting Rule" dialog box.
Creating a Custom Formula in Google Sheets
The process for creating a custom formula in Google Sheets is similar to Excel:
1. Select the range of cells you want to apply conditional formatting to.
2. Click on the “Format” menu and select “Conditional formatting.”
3. In the “Conditional formatting” sidebar, click on the “+” button to add a new rule.
4. Select “Format cells if” and choose “Custom formula is.”
5. Enter your custom formula in the “Format cells if” field, following the same guidelines as in Excel.
6. Click “Add format” to select the formatting style you want to apply.
7. Click “Done” to save the rule.
Examples of Custom Formulas
Here are a few examples of custom formulas you can use in conditional formatting:
– To highlight cells with values greater than 100: `=$A2>100`
– To format cells with text that starts with “ABC”: `=A2=”ABC”`
– To apply a background color to cells with a date that is within the next 7 days: `=TODAY()+(A2-TODAY())<=7`
By using custom formulas in conditional formatting, you can create complex and tailored formatting rules that cater to your specific needs. Experiment with different formulas and formatting styles to find the perfect combination for your spreadsheet.
