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How to Use Conditional Formatting

Learn how to visually highlight cells based on their content or formulas using Excel's conditional formatting.

When to Use This​

Use conditional formatting to:

  • Highlight products that need attention
  • Visualize profit margins
  • Identify untranslated content
  • Show stock levels at a glance
  • Track data quality issues

Understanding Conditional Formatting​

Conditional formatting changes cell appearance (color, icons, etc.) based on rules you define. It updates automatically as data changes.

Example 1: Highlight Untranslated Text​

This example shows how to highlight cells that haven't been translated yet.

Step 1: Select the Cell​

Click the first cell in your "Translated" column.

Step 2: Apply Conditional Formatting​

  1. Go to Home ribbon
  2. Click Conditional Formatting
  3. Choose Highlight Cells Rules > Equal To

Step 3: Configure the Rule​

In the dialog:

  1. Reference the untranslated text cell (e.g., D3)
  2. Important: Remove $ signs (absolute references) so the rule applies correctly to all cells
  3. Choose formatting (e.g., light red fill)
  4. Click OK

Step 4: Apply to All Cells​

  1. Go to Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules
  2. In "Applies to", select the entire column range
  3. Click in the field and press Ctrl+Shift+Down Arrow to auto-select to the bottom
  4. Click OK

Now all untranslated cells are highlighted in red. When you translate the text, the highlighting automatically disappears.

Example 2: Visualize Profit Margins​

This example shows how to color-code products based on their profit margins.

Step 1: Open Conditional Formatting Dialog​

  1. Select the price column
  2. Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule

Step 2: Choose Formula Rule​

Select Use formula to determine the cell to be formatted.

The formula must return TRUE or FALSE.

Step 3: Create High Margin Formula​

For margins above 60% (green):

=(L3-M3)/L3 > 60%

What this does:

  • (L3-M3) = Sales price minus purchase price
  • Divided by L3 (sales price) = margin percentage

  • 60% = returns TRUE if margin exceeds 60%

Step 4: Set Formatting​

  1. Click Format...
  2. Choose green background
  3. Click OK

Important: Remove $ signs from cell references (L3, not $L$3) so the formula adjusts for each row.

Step 5: Create Low Margin Formula​

Repeat for margins below 20% (red):

=(L3-M3)/L3 < 20%

Choose red background with white font.

Step 6: Apply to All Rows​

Copy the formatting down the entire column. Now you can see at a glance which products have good or poor margins.

Common Conditional Formatting Rules​

Stock Levels​

=[@Stock] < 10

Highlights products with low stock (red).

=[@Stock] > 100

Highlights well-stocked products (green).

Price Ranges​

=[@Price] > 100

Highlights expensive products.

Empty Cells​

=[@[Meta Description]] = ""

Highlights missing meta descriptions.

Duplicates​

Use built-in rule:

  1. Conditional Formatting > Highlight Cells Rules > Duplicate Values

Date-Based​

=[@[Special Price To Date]] < TODAY()

Highlights expired special prices.

Using Icon Sets​

Icon sets display symbols instead of colors.

Step 1: Select Column​

Select the column you want to format.

Step 2: Choose Icon Set​

  1. Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > Icon Sets
  2. Choose a set (traffic lights, arrows, shapes, etc.)

Step 3: Configure Thresholds​

  1. Go to Manage Rules
  2. Double-click the icon set rule
  3. Set formulas or values for each icon
  4. Click OK

cobby's Built-In Conditional Formatting​

cobby uses conditional formatting to show data status:

  • Green: Data matches Magento (up to date)
  • Yellow: You have unsaved changes
  • Red: Data is outdated (changed in Magento or by another user)

This helps you see at a glance when to reload or save products.

To refresh data, click Load products in the cobby ribbon.

Tips​

  • Remove $ signs: For formulas that apply to all rows, don't use absolute references
  • Test first: Apply to one cell and verify it works
  • Layer rules: Multiple rules can apply to the same cell (order matters)
  • Clear formatting: Conditional Formatting > Clear Rules if you need to start over
  • Copy formatting: Format Painter copies conditional formatting to other cells

Advanced: Symbol Sets with Formulas​

For custom symbol conditions:

Step 1: Apply Symbol Set​

  1. Select column
  2. Conditional Formatting > Icon Sets > Choose set

Step 2: Edit Rules​

  1. Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules
  2. Double-click the symbol set
  3. Set conditions with formulas or percentages
  4. Click OK

Troubleshooting​

Formatting not applying?

  • Check that your formula returns TRUE/FALSE
  • Test the formula in a cell: =YOUR_FORMULA should show TRUE or FALSE
  • Verify cell references are correct (relative vs absolute)

Wrong cells highlighted?

  • Remove $ signs from formulas if rule should apply to all rows
  • Check the "Applies to" range in Manage Rules

Formatting conflicts?

  • Multiple rules may be competing
  • Check rule order in Manage Rules (top rules take precedence)
  • Use "Stop If True" to prevent lower rules from applying

Performance issues?

  • Too many conditional formatting rules slow Excel
  • Simplify rules or reduce the range they apply to
  • Consider removing unused rules

Best Practices​

Keep It Simple​

  • Use clear, obvious colors
  • Don't over-format (too many colors confuse)
  • Focus on actionable insights

Use Consistent Colors​

  • Red: Problems, errors, low values
  • Yellow: Warnings, pending items
  • Green: Good, complete, high values

Document Your Rules​

Add a legend explaining what colors mean, especially if sharing files.

  • Data Validation: Restrict cell input (coming soon)
  • Autofilter: Filter by color or value (coming soon)
  • Formulas: Build complex conditions (coming soon)