Excel - Conditional Formatting Columns based on greater than/less than values

Question

Hi Community, 

I want to apply conditional formatting to an entire column based on a corresponding column value.

In the case below, I want to compare Column A1 to Column C1.

If C1 is greater than A1, I want C1 to automatically color to green background with green text. 

If C1 is Less than A1, I want C1 to automatically color to Red background with red text. 

If C1 is equal to A1, I want C1 to automatially color to yellow with darker yellow text. 

	COLUMN A - March Male	Column B - March Female	Column C - April Male	Column D - April Female
Row 1	4	3	4	4
Row 2	22	15	4	3
Row 3	22	13	29	18

I was able to set conditional formatting on single rows, but I cannot figure out how to apply it to the entire column. 

Appreciate any help or guidance!

Answer 1

If you were successfully able to apply conditional formatting to one single cell, the you can use format painter brush to apply the same conditional formatting to other cells in same column (or same row  based on the formatting condition defined).

One thing which you need to remember while setting the formula for CF, is that

you should NOT USE a $ sign in your formula (I mean you not freeze the column nor the row in the formula). If you adhere to these, then the format painter method should definitely work.

Another method is that - You select the entire column range where you wish to apply the CF and then insert the CF formula which you wish to use without using any $ sign and using only the first row example of the column range.

Have a look at the following 2 screen-shots showing examples.

Hope this Helps.

Answer 2

Thank you Rajesh! I didn't realize the significance of the $. Once I removed that I was able to use the Format Painter to apply the styles to the rest of the document.

Answer 3

Great!!

I am happy that your problem could get resolved.

Have a nice time.  Make a nice time.