Using a cell colour as a flag...

Question

Hi All,

I am trying to flag a cell in Column A, by turning it Red when the Cell in the corresponding C cell is blank (They may be a formula in the corresponding C cell if this makes a difference). 

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,

You do it exactly as I explained. If you first select A1 then drag to select the cells in column A and you use the formula I gave you:-

=len(c1)=0

Excel will apply the conditional formatting to the other cells automatically and adjust the formula for the different rows.

Answer 2

Thanks Mike,

Worked on the 2nd attempt!

Answer 3

Thanks Mike, 

I've managed to do it by selecting an individual cell so in the example below by selecting cell A1, and putting in the formula

=LEN(C1)=0 

it turns cell A1 red if C1 is blank. 

When however I highlight a column as suggested what do I need to type within the brackets? I've tried A1:A150 but this turns all the A cells red, instead of only turning them red when the corresponding C cell is blank. 

I could do this on an individual basis but this means doing it over 150 times. I just wondered if there was a quicker solution (perhaps using an IF command?

Something like

=IF(A1=BLANK,LEN(A1)=0,0)    ??

I assume if a column was selected the formula would then translate through A2, A3 etc....

Answer 4

Hi,

Select A1 then drag to select as many cells in column A as you need then:-

Home tab

Conditional formatting

New rule

use a formula to decide which cells to format and enter this formula

=LEN(C1)=0

click the format button

Fill tab

select RED and ok out and you're done.