Visual analysis and formatting

Excel Conditional Formatting Guide

Highlight trends, thresholds, duplicates, and exceptions in Excel with conditional formatting rules, formulas, and data bars.

Best rule types to start with

  • Use highlight cell rules for thresholds, duplicates, and top or bottom values.
  • Use data bars and color scales when you want quick visual comparison across rows.
  • Use formula-based rules when the condition depends on another column or a dynamic threshold.

Make rules easier to maintain

  • Store thresholds in input cells instead of hardcoding them inside rules.
  • Apply rules to structured Tables so they expand with new rows.
  • Combine conditional formatting with SORT and FILTER for interactive review workflows.