conditional format - highlight cells equalling cell above

[zazzz]

how does one do this?

i know how to conditional format, but not with formulas.

I went to Conditional Formatting - Highlight Cell Rules - More Rules - Use a formula

but didn't know where to go from there. For formula I entered =if(A2=A1) and left the formula at that, and then underneath pressed the format button to make the preview which color I wanted. But the formula itself is erroneous.

[tarquinious]

Use the formula:

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But if you want to use an IF formula, the following will work also:

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...because Excel will see the "1" as TRUE and "0" as FALSE and act accordingly.

[zazzz]

i understood the second part, but what does the first part do? tried it in excel but didnt quite follow what was happening.

[tarquinious]

1. In Cell A2 select Conditional Formatting / New Rule...
2. Select "Format only cells that contain..."
3. Select "Cell Value" and "Equal To"
4. Type in =A1
5. Select the formatting you want

OR


1. In Cell A2 select Conditional Formatting / New Rule...
2. Select "Use formula to determine which cells to format..."
3. Type in =IF(A2=A1,1,0)
4. Select the formatting you want