Placeholder with Conditional Formatting

[MRozell]

I want a cell to return "First Name" if it is blank, and at the same time be italic and in grey. Now when data is entered in, be regular text. If the data is deleted return "First Name" in italic and grey.
I have came up with in A1 =IF(ISBLANK(B1),"First Name",B1) than reduced A1 to a width of .25 and selected both A1:B1 and centered across the section.
Than I went into Conditional Formatting and set rule for B1 if Specific Text containing First Name to Format it italic and grey. It does everything If I have First Name types in B1 if not it returns "First Name" in regular text.
Is there a way to combine all these step into one where I can eliminate A1 and just use Conditional Formatting.

[MRozell]

If I format cell A1 italic and grey it appear that way in B1 and whatever I type in B1 appears normal. So I solve that issue but would still like to eliminate A1 altogether and use just conditional format if possible.

[Richard Buttrey]

Hi,

Would you clarify the request please. It's not clear what you mean by eliminate A1 nor whether the CF is in B and dependent on A or in A and dependent on B.

Perhaps upload a small example workbook

[MRozell]

Hi,

Would you clarify the request please. It's not clear what you mean by eliminate A1 nor whether the CF is in B and dependent on A or in A and dependent on B.

Perhaps upload a small example workbook

There is an example workbook uploaded.

[Richard Buttrey]

Sorry but I'm still no wiser what it is you are trying to do since you haven't clarified the points I asked about.

The easiest way is to manually add some typical results for all variations of your data. Clearly explain which cells are the results and which original data, and how you have determined the results.

[MRozell]

Ok what I am asking is can I use the formula in A1 in conditional formatting and have it give me "First Name" in italic grey when the cell is blank. But whatever I type in B1 be in normal text. If whatever I type is deleted from B1 the "First Name" in italic grey returns. I really dont want to use A1 but if I have no choose I have no choose.

[Bo_Ry]

Is this right?

CF formula for A1:A4

=ISBLANK(B1)

Format font to italic grey.

A1 is needed, because format won't show if there is no text in that cell.

[MRozell]

I have come to the conclusion that what I want done has to be done with Column A since you can not write a response in Conditional Formation. I just made Column A as small as possible without getting an error.