Highlight Entire Row a Color based on Cell Value Google Sheets (Conditional Formatting) Excel

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of highlighting entire rows in Google Sheets based on the value of a specific cell using conditional formatting. This technique is particularly useful for visually organizing data, allowing you to quickly identify key information based on certain criteria.

Step 1: Open Your Google Sheet

• Navigate to your Google Sheets application.
• If you want to follow along with a sample sheet, make a copy of the provided template by visiting this link.
• Ensure you have the sheet open where you want to apply the conditional formatting.

Step 2: Select the Range for Conditional Formatting

• Click and drag to highlight the range of rows you want to format.
• For instance, if you want to apply the format to rows 1 through 10, select cells A1 to Z10 (adjust columns as necessary based on your data).

Step 3: Access Conditional Formatting

• With your range selected, go to the top menu and click on Format.
• Choose Conditional formatting from the dropdown list.

Step 4: Set Up the Conditional Formatting Rule

• In the Conditional formatting pane that appears on the right, make sure your selected range is displayed under "Apply to range."
• Under the "Format cells if" section, select Custom formula is from the dropdown menu.

Step 5: Enter the Custom Formula

• Enter the formula that will determine which rows to highlight. For example, if you want to highlight rows where the value in column A is "Complete," use the following formula:

  =$A1="Complete"
  

• Adjust "A" and "Complete" based on your specific needs (e.g., change the column letter or value as necessary).

Step 6: Choose a Formatting Style

• Below the formula, select the formatting style you want to apply. This could be a background color, text color, or other style options.
• For a clear visual cue, choose a distinct background color that stands out.

Step 7: Apply the Formatting Rule

• Click Done to apply the rule.
• Your selected rows should now change color based on the condition set in your formula.

Step 8: Test the Conditional Formatting

• To ensure your formatting works as intended, change the value in the specified column (e.g., changing cell A1 to "Complete").
• Observe the row's color change according to your conditional formatting rule.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively highlight entire rows in Google Sheets based on specific cell values using conditional formatting. This method enhances data visibility and helps in quick decision-making based on visual cues. Explore different conditions and formatting styles to customize your sheets further!