Question

I want to know what I would need to type into the formula box in excel to solve the problem outline below:

Key: *Variable/Cell*

IF *cellnumber* = 0 shade cells red
IF *cellnumber* > (more than) 0 but < (less than) *cell number* shade cells yellow
IF *cellnumber = *cellnumber* shade cells green.

Answer 1

You want Conditional Formatting. Pre-Excel 2007 go to the Data menu and click conditional formatting. Excel 2007 or later go to the Home ribbon and click Conditional Formatting. Here is a guide to conditional formatting that shows something similar to what you need.

As for the second and third condition that apply to the value in another cell, you can put a reference in the conditional formatting window similar to “Cell Value : Equal to :” then =$A$1 in the value box.

For 2011:
Any quotes below should NOT be typed. This assumes the cell you want to check against is A1.

1. Select the range you want to be colored
2. Home Ribbon -> Conditional Formatting -> Manage Rules
3. New Rule
4. “Format Only Cells That Contain”
5. Choose: Cell Value & between
6. Enter in “0” and “=$A$1” (remember, no quotes)
7. Click Format -> Fill, choose yellow
8. Click Ok
9. New Rule
10. “Format Only Cells That Contain”
11. Choose Cell Value & Equal
12. Enter in “0”
13. Click Format -> Fill, choose red
14. Click Ok
15. New Rule
16. “Format Only Cells That Contain”
17. Choose Cell Value & Equal
18. Enter in “=$A$1”
19. Click Format -> Fill, choose green
20. Click Ok