What is Conditional Formatting?

Conditional Formatting changes the appearance of a cell/range of cells based on criteria or conditions that are specified in Google Sheets (or Excel). Conditional Formatting can be a single color, color scale, or even a custom formula.

Let’s take a closer look at Conditional Formatting with some of our Coefficient Imports! 🖼️

How to use Conditional Formatting?

Single Color

Single Color - Conditional Formatting evaluates each individual cell in a specific range and if that cell meets the criteria then the formatting style is applied to it. (Example: Highlight all the cells in Column H that have the value “PQL” → All the “PQL” values are highlighted)

A user has pulled an import from Salesforce of her Opportunities. She wants to use Conditional Formatting to color-code all the “Closed Won” values green in Column F.

  1. In Google Sheets, click on Format from the tabs, and select Conditional Formatting.

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  2. The “Conditional format rules” allow you to set up and customize your Conditional Formatting. You can select the Type (Single Color or Color Scale), the Range, and the Format rules. In the example below I have it set to look at a specific range (F2:F36) and color all the “Closed Won” Opportunities green with white text. (Make sure you click “Done” or else your customizations will not save)

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  3. You can create/add a Conditional Formatting rule for each value or scenario in your sheet. (Example below)

    Screenshot 2022-12-01 at 3.07.21 PM.png

<aside> 💡 Pro Tip: Use Absolute Reference to essentially “lock” the range you want the Conditional Formatting to apply to. Example: $F3:$F402. Using Absolute Reference will ensure that any new rows/columns that are added to your sheet will not have the Conditional Formatting Rules applied (as opposed to using Relative Reference F3:F402).

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Color Scale

Color Scale - Conditional Formatting evaluates a range of cells and applies a color gradient based on the Max and Min values you assign. (You can also assign a Midpoint if desired - optional)