Page 112 - Excel Timesaving Techniques for Dummies

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19 Controlling When
Certain Formats

Technique Are Used

xcel includes a nifty little feature called conditional formatting that
Save Time By tells the program to format a cell range in one way when the range
Econtains one type of data entry and in a completely different man-
Using conditional format-
ting to flag significant ner when it doesn’t. Conditional formatting can go a long way in helping
data entries you keep tabs on very significant or potentially disastrous conditions
that crop up in your spreadsheet.
Using conditional format-
ting to flag bad entries or Most of the time, you apply conditional formatting to cells that contain
formula flub-ups formulas whose evaluated values are key in the spreadsheet (such as
subtotals or grand totals). Applying conditional formatting to these cells
can help you flag any potential errors that result from goof-ups made in
the input cells referenced in the formulas. You can also use conditional
formatting to flag unexpected formula results, such as totals that exceed
your wildest expectations as well as totals that are way below your most
pessimistic projections.

This technique looks at ways you can use conditional formatting to alert
yourself when certain key values change in your spreadsheet (for better
or worse). It begins by looking at how you can use conditional formatting
to select one type of cell format when normal conditions exist in the cell
and another special formatting when some sort of abnormal condition
crops up. You also find out how to use conditional formatting to warn
you when certain kinds of errors have crept into the spreadsheet.

Formats to Suit Every Condition

Conditional formatting enables you to set up two types of criteria that
determine when the program applies the conditional formatting you
designate: