Formatting issue

Question

160762-test1234.pdf

Hi : I received this excel file and some of the cells filled with pink color. I tried Ctrl+1 to change to fill color, but it didn't work. I also looked into if the cells fill color being populated through conditional formatting (using formulas). No conditional formatting has been applied.
Can you please let me know how do I change the cell fill color? Please find attached the file pdf version as I am not upload the excel file.

Many Thanks

Answer 1

Hi @Datasavvy

Please refer to OssieMac's suggestions to have a check first.

• What is the format of this workbook? For example: .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm format.
  If it is a .xlsm format file with macros, it is recommended to save it as a normal .xlsx file, and then set the background color.
  If it is a file without macros (like .xls, .xlsx, etc.), please forgive me for wanting to verify, how did you check the conditional formatting formula.
  (Please select one pink cells and go to the "Home" tab > "Styles" group > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules to check whether there is a conditional format formula.
• It is recommended to back up the file, create a new blank workbook, and then open the test file and the blank workbook;
  Copy these cells to the blank space, only keep the values, and then copied back to the original file, only the value are still kept.
• If none of the above operations work, you can try to click in Excel: File> Options> Advanced> Under editing Options, uncheck "Extended Data Area Format and Formulas" > OK.

--------- Update --------

I have checked the file, conditional formatting formula is indeed used.

To change the pink, you could delete the rule.

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Answer 2

Can't really help much from a pdf file which is only same as a screen shot. Need to access the Excel file.

However, can you change anything else in the cells because it might be protected.

You can check if protection has been applied as follows
Select Home ribbon
Click Format
In the dialog it will show Protect if NOT protected as per the following screen shot

In the dialog it will show Unprotect if it IS protected as per the following screen shot

Answer 3

Start tab, right site => Delete => Delete Format