Fail Safe

**hellotrm72** · 10-10-2011, 02:30 PM

My job requires me to do database searches and there are specific answers that are possible.
i have made a few typos and it has not been a good thing, so i want to know if there is a way to set up a fail safe. such as a look up function that would look for the value in my summery page on a list of the possible answers. if the value were not found then it would highlight the cell so that it draws my attention to it. this is just an idea, if you have another idea of something that would work i am open to all suggestions.

**ConneXionLost** · 10-10-2011, 04:20 PM

A popular way to do this is with the COUNTIF function.

If you post a sample spreadsheet, it might be easier to demonstrate.

Cheers,

**hellotrm72** · 10-10-2011, 06:24 PM

I have made up an example of the problem i am running into. The spreadsheet has two tables, one for the animals that are on farm number 102 and a table for the list of all the animals a farm could have. I did not do a complete list since this is just an example. i need a formula or something that would bring my attention to the cell that does not belong in the list. in this case it is the car.

Thanks,
Hellotrm72

**tom1977** · 10-10-2011, 06:41 PM

look at attachment (conditioning formatting) be sure Your data are the same in both lists (trim!)

**tom1977** · 10-10-2011, 07:08 PM

in this case it is the car.

in Your example are tree cases
CAR it does not belong
HORSE it also does not belong
and CAT because of " "

**hellotrm72** · 10-11-2011, 11:07 AM

i opened your example of the conditional formatting and i cant get it to work the same way that you did. i can get it to work for one cell at a time, but not an entire columns like you did. also i dont always fill the entire table with animals and using the example you gave if one of the cells is left blank then the cell highlights. is there a work around for that?

thanks,
hellotrm72