How To Change Background Or Font Color Based On Cell Value In Excel?

How to change background or font color based on cell value in Excel?

When you deal with huge data in Excel, you may want to pick out some value and highlight them with specific background or font color. This article is talking about how to change the background or font color based on cell values in Excel quickly.

Table of Contents

Method 1: Change background or font color based on cell value dynamically with Conditional Formatting

Method 2: Change background or font color based on cell value statically with Find function

Method 3: Change background or font color based on cell value statically with Kutools for Excel

Method 1: Change background or font color based on cell value dynamically with Conditional Formatting

The Conditional Formatting feature can help you to highlight the values greater than x, less than y, or between x and y.

Supposing you have a range of data, and now you need to color the values between 80 and 100, please do with the following steps:

1. Select the range of cells that you want to highlight certain cells, and then click Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule, see screenshot:

doc highlight by value 1

2. In the New Formatting Rule dialog box, select the Format only cells that contain item in the Select a Rule Type box, and in the Format Only Cells with section, specify the conditions that you need:

In the first drop down box, select the Cell Value;
In the second drop down box, select the criteria:between;
In the third and fourth box, enter the filter conditions, such as 80, 100.

doc highlight by value 2

3. Then, click Format button, in the Format Cells dialog box, set the background or font color as this:

Change the background color by cell value:	Change the font color by cell value
Click Fill tab, and then choose one background color you like	Click Font tab, and select the font color you need.

4. After select the background or font color, click OK > OK to close the dialogs, and now, the specific cells with value between 80 and 100 are changed to the certain the background or font color in the selection. See screenshot:

Highlight specific cells with background color:	Highlight specific cells with font color:

Note: The Conditional Formatting is a dynamic feature, the cell color will be changed as the data changes.

Method 2: Change background or font color based on cell value statically with Find function

Sometimes, you need to apply a specific fill or font color based on cell value and make the fill or font color not change when the cell value changes. In this case, you can use the Find function to find all the specific cell values and then change the background or font color to your need.

For example, you want to change the background or font color if the cell value contains “Excel” text, please do as this:

1. Select the data range that you want to use, and then click Home > Find & Select > Find, see screenshot:

doc highlight by value 7

2. In the Find and Replace dialog box, under the Find tab, enter the value that you want to find into the Find what text box, see screenshot:

doc highlight by value 8

Tips: If you need to find the values with case sensitive or match the entire cell content, please click the Options button to get the advanced search options, such as "Match Case" and "Match entire cell content" as you need.

3. And then, click Find All button, in the find result box, click any one item, and then press Ctrl + A to select all found items, see screenshot:

doc highlight by value 9

4. At last, click Close button to close this dialog. Now, you can fill a background or font color for these selected values, see screenshot:

Apply the background color for the selected cells:	Apply the font color for the selected cells:

Method 3: Change background or font color based on cell value statically with Kutools for Excel

Kutools for Excel’s Super Find feature supports lots of conditions for finding values, text strings, dates, formulas, formatted cells and so on. After finding and selecting the matched cells, you can change the background or font color to your desired.

After installing Kutools for Excel, please do as this:

1. Select the data range that you want to find, and then click Kutools > Super Find, see screenshot:

doc highlight by value 12

2. In the Super Find pane, please do the following operations:

(1.) First, click the Values option icon;
(2.) Choose the find scope from the Within drop down, in this case, I will choose Selection;
(3.) From the Type drop down list, select the criteria that you want to use;
(4.) Then click Find button to list all corresponding results into the list box;
(5.) At last, click Select button to select the cells.

doc highlight by value 13

3. And then, all cells matching the criteria have been selected at once, see screenshot:

doc highlight by value 14

4. And now, you can change the background color or font color for the selected cells as you need.

Tips: With the Super Find function, you can also deal with the following operations quickly and easily:

Find and select text string with specific criteria in Excel	Find and select date cells based on specific criteria in Excel
Find and select specific text string within comments in Excel	Find and select specific text string within formulas in Excel
Find and select specific text string within hyperlinks in Excel	Find and select all cells with specific cell formatting in Excel

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Arthur · 7 months ago
Good Day,

I have a schedule with different course modules that can be placed in different order ( 1 is metal, 2 is machining, 3 is refinishing, etc.) depending on course director preferences and staff availability.

What I am trying to do to wrap up the spreadsheet is color code the modules across the months based on their order in the overall course. So if Metal is first and is 35 days long, the first 35 days are background colored blue, but if machining is first and is 20 days long, then the first 20 days are purple.

How can you do and if statement that refers to a separate cell for the initial number of days, AND color the cells based on the range between 1 and 20 or 35 or whatever?

Can I do a conditional formatting If statement with a range between numbers?

This would have to be applied to all the modules (therefor multiple conditional formatting formulas) to account for any module being in any place in the order.
That is the issue I have. Please offer any suggestions. Note that I have built the spreadsheet without VBA. (I've never had the opportunity to learn it)
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Jeer Wales · 1 years ago
Can I give colour for a row of values with respect to previous value for a whole row.
Eg

23

45

32

56

can I give red for 23 and green for 45 and again red for 32 as it is less than the previous value and green for 56 as it is more than 32.
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VANESSA · 1 years ago
I do get to change a cell colour according to the text or letter in fill in the cell e.g.-H=YELLOW,E=GREEN
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  skyyang · 1 years ago
  
  Hello, VANESSA,
  For solving your problem, please apply the Conditional Formatting feature, in the New Formatting Rule dialog box, choose the conditions as following screenshot shown:
  
  未标题-1.png
  
  Reply
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Leon J. · 1 years ago
how do i change the colour of cell depending on what is in that cell IE. Y=green N=red.

thats how i need it if it has Y riten in the cell it turns green?
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  skyyang · 1 years ago
  
  Hello, Leon,
  To highlight the cells based on the cell value, you should apply the Conditional Formatting feature, go to the New Formatting Rule dialog box, and then do as the following screenshot shown to highlight the cells which are Y located as green:
  
  Do with the same way to format the cells N as red color.
  
  Please try it, hope it can help you!
  
  未标题-1.png
  
  Reply
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zombiewhisperer · 1 years ago
Trying to get a cell to highlight if its above a certain number, the problem is that the cell includes the number and a date. Is there a way i can get it to just look at the number? The cell will include a number+date.....1400(7/2/2018). I need the formulate just to look at the 1400 and not the date.
any ideas?
thanks
Z
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dhakshanamoorthy · 2 years ago
Sir, I have value in cell A10, in A12. Now I entered a simple formula in A15 subtracting these (A10-A12). I want background color of result cell (A15) in green if A10 is large (means result in positive number) and background color in red if A12 is large ( result in negative number). Please provide solution
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  skyyang · 2 years ago
  
  Hello,
  You can select the formula cells, and then apply the Conditional Formatting > Greater than (0)-format it green, and then Less Than (0)-format it red, see screenshot:
  
  Please try it, hope it can help you, thank you!
  
  doc-1.png
  
  Reply
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Tom · 2 years ago
If I have a date in a cell, how do I make it change to orange when it is within 30 days of coming due, yellow when it is within 15 days of coming due and red when it exceeds the date (past due)
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Scott · 2 years ago
I thought this color of cells by value was going to be a real pain. It could not have been explained more easily and clearly. Thanks. It took no less than 1-2 minutes to understand what to do.
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govind · 3 years ago
HI,

I want if i change any value or number in any cell then that cell text color should get change for e.g. if number in any cell is 100 and I have to change it as 98 then that cell text 98 should change into red color. Is it possible in Excel?? Do clarify please
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Crystal · 3 years ago
So I am creating a excel spreadsheet for fire department reports. What I am looking for is it to calculate the days a report is overdue, unless it has been completed:

Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E Column F
Incident # Incident Date Todays Date Completed Date Days Overdue Todays Date

I want column B subtracting Column C to calculate in column E unless Column D is complete. I hope this makes sense. I want to use the conditional formatting to show me in colors how long a report is overdue (with the 3 color scale). I have the formula for the number of days it is overdue to have a correct value and color scale, but I want it to remain green when the report has been completed.
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Mahdi · 3 years ago
Hi..i wanna set a rule for some cells containing Date values(such as 07-02-2016)in order to change backgrounds for example 10 days before that Date arrives or in the day that Date arrives.
how can i do this?
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subramani · 3 years ago
Dear Sir,

i want to Differentiate the color while entering the time , for example if i typed 9:00 a.m. that cell will show white color (but enter the time 9:01 the color must vary) and enter the time 6:00 p.m. that cell will shows white color (but enter the time 6:01 the color must vary).

Please help me.

thank you
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shepherd · 4 years ago
l have created a soccer excel sheet and what l am trying to do is that l want to highlight cells based on thier values that " 1-2 " must highlight red for home team and " 0-0 " must highlight yellow for draw and 2-1 green for win home team please note that the value "1-2" is in one cell and all the results will be in one column say D4:D32 , CAN SOMEONE HELP!!
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AKSHAY · 4 years ago
Sir, I have value in cell A10, in A12. Now I entered a simple formula in A15 subtracting these (A10-A12). I want background color of result cell (A15) in green if A10 is large (means result in positive number) and background color in red if A12 is large ( result in negative number). Please provide solution.
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charlotte · 4 years ago
Hello, i would like to change the colour of a number of cells in a row if column P contains any text, however the colour it changes to depends on the text in column D would you please be able to help
many thanks.
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seema · 4 years ago
if the value of cell C1 is less than the value of cell B1 then the color of the cell D1 must become red. need formula?
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thiru · 4 years ago
hi ginge27

select all cells & go to condittional formatting & new rules & select format only text contain & specific text,containing & give text name & select colour.
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ginge27 · 4 years ago
I'm trying to change the colour of a cell depending on the text next to it.... I'm struggling....
I hope someone can help
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Maiqueashworth · 4 years ago
Hi
In an earlier post:
# Jay Chivo - Admin 2014-04-03 01:56
following a question from VINAY JASWAL, you explain very nicely how to do a conditional cell fill if a value is greater or less than a numerical value. Can this be done for a string value? i.e. Can a C be greater than a D? I am looking to choose cell colour depending on whether the grade is greater than, equal to or less than a certain value. Thanks in anticipation.
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Neil · 4 years ago
In column A I have a list of product names and in column B I have a formula that grades the product performance in the marketplace.

I figured out how to use the conditional formatting to change the performance metric cells based on the color gradient using the percent value. What I can't figure out how to do is change the background of the cell that contains the product name to be the same color as the conditional formatted cell.

Can you help?
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pravin · 4 years ago
Product price priceid
mobile 2000 101
asset 100 102

if i have to color priceid red where price is less than 1000

what we will do ?
need help
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Mick Dineen · 4 years ago
I want to format a column of cells based on completion status, so I will have complete, in-progress and open. I want to format so I have a colour for each status - green (open), yellow (in-progress) and grey (complete). I have tried to conditional format in excel with no luck.

can you give me a solution?
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jamesc · 4 years ago
I have a sheet that calculates a value and displays it. I want the background to change based on that value. ie if the calculated value is 3 turn yellow or if 50 turn green. My range is from 1-100 and I am breaking it into 3 steps, red yellow green. thanks/jmc
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Eswar · 4 years ago
It is very much helpful..!!
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Martha · 4 years ago
Is it possible to format other cells so that their color changes depending upon the contents of another cell?

For example, depending on the value entered into B2, can I formate G5 to change color?

Thank you!!
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Saiful Islam Jim · 4 years ago
Hello sir, is it possible to make a cell (with date) colored automatically when only 2/3 days left to reach on that date?
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Remco · 4 years ago
Very nice, but I need to go one step futher; I need cells that contain even nulbers to change to yellow, and odd number change to a blue background. How do I do that?
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SANTU · 5 years ago
Thanks, it is working
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Margaret Mc Grath · 5 years ago
Doing work rota I need e.g. yellow cell to equal 4 (hours), green cell to equal 6 and red cell to equal 8 so when I add up 2 yellow cells plus 1 green cells plus 1 red cell I would get the answer 22 (4 x 2 + 6 + 8) I would appreciate if you could help me. Roster is done out in color not numbers.
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Shane · 5 years ago
I'd like to hightlight a cell if it begins with 215 or 218 or 223 or 227. Not sure of the command to use. Thanks!
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Kartik Podugu · 5 years ago
Detailed explanation. Thanks. It worked.
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Donald Pearson · 5 years ago
So, I figured it out 5 minutes after I sent the original message. But thank you for the information posted above, it really helped!
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Donald Pearson · 5 years ago
Is there a way to do multiple formatting rules for one column or row?
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abdul · 5 years ago
I have a worksheet with column A..reviewed by, B date and C is for follow up. Under follow up, we put YES or NO. How can i make column C colour coded for NO as Blue and YES as yellow?
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imtiaz ahmad · 5 years ago
:-| [url]ijaziffi786@hotmail.com[/url]
thanks sir you are easy my
work
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dash · 5 years ago
how to change everyday different color from row A1:A5
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Jennifer · 5 years ago
I have a spreadsheet that students scan an ID card into, then macro formatting to make it time/date stamp. However, I can't distinguish between when they sign in and when they sign out. This is what I want to do: Student scans card when they come in. When they leave, they scan card and either text or the box color changes to distinguish between and an in scan or an out scan. Students do nothing but scan card into a cell...do not want them to have to locate their name or choose in or out. In other words, they scan in and out but they have no idea there is a change in the color. Does that make sense and is there a way to do it?
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  admin_jay · 5 years ago
  
  [quote name="Jennifer"]I have a spreadsheet that students scan an ID card into, then macro formatting to make it time/date stamp. However, I can't distinguish between when they sign in and when they sign out. This is what I want to do: Student scans card when they come in. When they leave, they scan card and either text or the box color changes to distinguish between and an in scan or an out scan. Students do nothing but scan card into a cell...do not want them to have to locate their name or choose in or out. In other words, they scan in and out but they have no idea there is a change in the color. Does that make sense and is there a way to do it?[/quote]
  Please send me a sample of your file at jaychivo#extendoffice.com. Please replace # with @.
  
  Reply
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Faeza · 5 years ago
hi Sir,

I want to make a cell color at B1 & B3 using the formula condition IF b2>4 and if only b1 on top 3. Could you please advice me on this matter.
cell a cell b
1 7.16 1
2 7.16 1

3 4.03 1
4 1.00 7
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cp · 5 years ago
Pls send me all conditional formulas..... with colour formulas.....

Thanks
Cp
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Nic · 5 years ago
Please help

I have a spreadsheet measuring when a date is coming up for renewal - however it must be based on the date completed. i.e. if completed 1/1/12 it would come up for renewal 1/1/14 and so it should be highlighted in red after that date physically occurs.

I have set the formula on one cell i.e. C5+730
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  admin_jay · 5 years ago
  
  [quote name="Nic"]Please help
  
  I have a spreadsheet measuring when a date is coming up for renewal - however it must be based on the date completed. i.e. if completed 1/1/12 it would come up for renewal 1/1/14 and so it should be highlighted in red after that date physically occurs.
  
  I have set the formula on one cell i.e. C5+730[/quote]
  Hello, please try to create some sample data in a workbook, and send it to me at jaychivo#extendoffice.com. Please replace # with @.
  
  Please tell me what do you want to accomplish. :-)
  
  Reply
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E-square · 5 years ago
what if I input a Alphabetical Value:
for Example if I input Received the cell will turn into Red
and when I put Not Yet Received the cell will turn into Blue.
how about that?
I badly need an Answer. Plss!
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August · 5 years ago
Thanks to all It helped me very well
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Shahid Kamal · 5 years ago
Extremely Good.
it helped me in my work.
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Vivek Khaire · 5 years ago
It helped me in urgent meeting in my office. Thankyou very much for help.
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lola2014 · 5 years ago
Hello, I would like to know if any of you know how to make the percentage of color fill in the cell correspond to the value of the cell.... For example if my cell value is 50% only the 50% of the cell will fill with color, if i change the value of the cell to 100% the whole cell will fill with color.

Thankyou
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  Russ · 4 years ago
  
  Don't know how to do that, but you could approximate it by choosing different shades of a color. For example, use the most saturated blue for 100% and white for 0%, but for 40-60% select a blue that is halfway in between. Fill in the other percentages with corresponding shades.
  
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Ieva · 6 years ago
Does anyone knows how to do so.
If the number is bigger than 48, change the color only of sat
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Damiano · 6 years ago
Hi, I would like to ask you if it there is the chance to do the opposite of what you showed. I explain myself better: I have colums with differen values and they are colored red and green. Now I was trying to change those values in 0 and 1 according to the color of the cells. Then 0 for red cells and 1 for green. Is it this possible? Thanks
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Harrell Geron · 6 years ago
how can a Excel function change color of the cell when the function compute a special value?
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Teo · 6 years ago
Hi. I don't know if there is possible to do what i want, but here's what i'm trying to achieve:
Let's say i have a hundred entries with, let's say, 5 different values scattered around. I want excel to color each value with different colors. I was thinking on a formula/rule that would change the color based on the value change. It is possible?
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Adil · 6 years ago
Useful post and perfect answers
1 Query – i want to format cells in a column with colurs based on the vloopkup value from other sheet.
How can this be acheived?
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  vasantha k · 2 years ago
  
  have you got any reply? if so pls forward to me @ vasanthcrv@gmail.com
  
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