How to Use Conditional Formatting in Microsoft Excel

1. Apply conditional formats to monitor cell values, such as formula results. Stay abreast of dramatic changes affecting your organization, business or personal financial situation like donations increase, sales decline or a bank account overdraft.
2. Know when conditions change. Utilize the conditional formatting color coding system to signal those changes (e.g., red text color can indicate a turn down in stock value). Use conditional formatting in Microsoft Excel to recognize changing conditions to better control the direction and outcome of activities.
3. Open Microsoft Excel and the file you want to affect. Select cells for applying conditional formatting. Use conditional formatting in Microsoft Excel for automatic cell change when a specific condition is met.
4. Choose 'Conditional Formatting' from the 'Format' menu within Excel. See a 'Conditional Formatting' box pop up with options to choose from. Select the 'Cell Value Is' option from the first drop-down menu to utilize existing values in the cells you've selected in the formatting condition. Pick 'Formula Is' instead to enter a formula for the formatting standard if you want to assess information or a condition besides that associated with the values within the cells selected.
5. Type in a constant (number or text) after you have selected the comparison phrase (e.g., 'less than' or 'equal to') for 'Cell Value Is.' Realize a constant is a value that doesn't change since it's not calculated. Start with an equal sign if you choose to enter in a formula.
6. Enter the formula which will evaluate to a logical value, TRUE or FALSE for the formatting criteria for 'Formula Is.' Apply formatting when another condition is met (not based on the evaluation of a condition or data of the selected cell value).
7. Hit the 'Format' button next so that you can access formatting options. Choose one of the tabs, 'Font,' 'Border' or 'Patterns,' once the 'Format Cells' option box pops up. Make your preferred formatting selections to be applied to a condition change or when the formula calculates to TRUE within your selected cells.
8. Click 'Add>>' to include a second or third condition to selected cells. Repeat the same procedure you used for the first condition. Keep in mind that the first condition takes precedence and not all conditions, if met all at once, will be applied by Excel.