Use conditional formatting rules in Google Sheets

 

Cells, rows, or columns can be formatted to change text or background color if they meet certain conditions. For example, if they contain a certain word or a number.

1. On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
2. Select the cells you want to apply format rules to.
3. Click Format  Conditional formatting. A toolbar will open to the right.
4. Create a rule.
   • Single color: Under "Format cells if," choose the condition that you want to trigger the rule. Under "Formatting style, choose what the cell will look like when conditions are met.
   • Color scale: Under "Preview," select the color scale. Then, choose a minimum and maximum value, and an optional midpoint value. To choose the value category, click the Down arrow .
5. Click Done.

Example

A teacher can highlight test scores to see which students scored less than 80%.

1. On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
2. Select the test scores.
3. Click Format  Conditional formatting.
4. Under "Format cells if," click Less than. If there's already a rule, click it or Add new rule  Less than.
5. Click Value or formula and enter 0.8.
6. To choose a red color, click Fill .
7. Click Done. The low scores will be highlighted in red.