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How to make cell flash red in Excel?

Author Sun Last modified

In general, we highlight cells with different backgrounds to distinguish them from others. However, in this article, I will introduce a VBA code that makes specific cells flash with a red background to stand out in Excel.

Make cell flash red with VBA

arrow blue right bubble Make cell flash red with VBA

To make cells blink and attract users’ attention, here is a VBA code.

1. Enable the sheet you want to flash cells, and press Alt + F11 keys to open Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.

2. Click Insert > Module, and then paste below VBA code to the Module script. See screenshot:

VBA: Make cell flash red

Private Sub Flash_Cells()
'UpdatebyExtendoffice20160614
    Dim xColor As Integer
    Dim xCount As Integer
    Dim xSpeed As Double
    Dim xStart As Double
    Dim xDelay As Double
    Dim xRg As Range
    Dim xTxt As String
    Dim xCell As Range
    On Error Resume Next
    If ActiveWindow.RangeSelection.Count > 1 Then
      xTxt = ActiveWindow.RangeSelection.AddressLocal
    Else
      xTxt = ActiveSheet.UsedRange.AddressLocal
    End If
    Set xRg = Application.InputBox("Select cells", "Kutools for Excel", xTxt, , , , , 8)
    If xRg Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
    For Each xCell In xRg
        If xCell.Value > 4 Then
            xColor = 3
            xSpeed = 0.6
            Do Until xCount = 20
                DoEvents
                xStart = Timer
                xDelay = xStart + xSpeed
                Do Until Timer > xDelay
                    DoEvents
                    xRg.Interior.ColorIndex = xColor
                Loop
                xStart = Timer
                xDelay = xStart + xSpeed
                Do Until Timer > xDelay
                    DoEvents
                    xRg.Interior.ColorIndex = xlNone
                Loop
                xCount = xCount + 1
            Loop
        End If
    Next
End Sub

A screenshot showing the pasted VBA code in the module window

3. Press F5 key, and a Kutools for Excel dialog pops out for selecting cells you want to make flash, see screenshot:
A screenshot of the Kutools for Excel dialog box for selecting cells to flash red

4. Click OK. Now the selected cell has been flash with red background.

Tips:

(1) In the VBA code, you can change the background color (xColor = 3), blink speed (xSpeed = 0.6) and blink times (Do Until xCount = 20) as you want.

(2) This VBA code won’t add flash background to blank selection.

(3) This flash background will be removed automatically after the blank times finish.

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