How can I change the color of a cell if its value equals another at a different xl file?

**JosephCSmith** · 10-18-2013, 09:02 PM

How can I change the color of a A1 to yellow, when its value equals another value at a different excel file using vlookup?

I'm trying to apply a formula because I don't know VB.

The logic goes something like this:

If A1 = a value or text located anywhere in column B of another excel file, then turn color yellow. If not then stay white.

**FDibbins** · 10-18-2013, 09:51 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum

You can do this with Conditional Formatting.

However, CF has enough of a problem just referencing another worksheet, let alone another workbook, so I would suggestthat you put your vlookup somewhere in a cell onthe sheet you want the color to change, and then use that as a reference to trigger the color change.

Your profile says 2003, so I *think* this is right (havnt used CF in 2003 for a while now)
select Format/Conditional Format, select "use formula" and then use (something like) =A1=B1 where B1 is where you putthe vlookup()