Conditionally Formatting A Drop Down List

In a previous post I showed you how to Create a Drop Down List in a Table.   We are now going to take this concept one level further and apply some conditional formatting to the drop down data validation list.

This is useful if you want to highlight when a job is completed, check off items from a list or to evaluate risk in a project just like I have done in below´s example.

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STEP 1: Select the range that you want to apply the conditional formatting to.

STEP 2: Go to Home > Styles > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules

STEP 3: Select New Rule

STEP 4: Create the new rule for High values:

Select Use a formula to determine which cells to format

Type in the Formula =$A4=”high” 

This formula will ensure only the column is absolute.

Go to Format > Fill then select a color of your choosing. Click OK.

Repeat the same steps for medium values. Click New Rule.

Select Use a formula to determine which cells to format

Type in the Formula =$A4=”medium” 

This formula will ensure only the column is absolute.

Go to Format > Fill then select a color of your choosing. Click OK.

Repeat the same steps for low values. Click New Rule.

Select Use a formula to determine which cells to format

Type in the Formula =$A4=”low” 

This formula will ensure only the column is absolute.

Go to Format > Fill then select a color of your choosing. Click OK.

This is how our new set of rules will look like:

Now our table now has conditional formatting applied!

How to Conditionally Formatting A Drop Down List

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