Conditionally Format Formula for cells containing numbers

**slipleft** · 10-12-2011, 02:33 PM

Which formula to use for conditionally formatting cells containing 6 numbers?

I understand the conditional format process but am breaking down at the validation equation. I have triedL

=$A3="******"

=$A3="??????"

Must be a simple syntax error?

**JBeaucaire** · 10-12-2011, 02:34 PM

Explain with examples what strings you're testing.... what exactly you're testing for... give examples of similar strings that both MEET and FAIL your criteria so we can see it clearly.

**slipleft** · 10-12-2011, 02:56 PM

Sure, apologies for the lack of clarity. The gist is that a spreasheet is being populated by conditionally bringing in data from a root worksheet if formulas are met.

- In the row where the formula is met, columns A thru I will be populated with data (columns A and B being numbers and C thru I are text data).
- In the rows where the formula is not met, columns A thru I are populated "" placeholders.

My goal is to border the cells of only those rows in which the formula is met. Ex:

..................A.....................B......................C......................D
Row1:....123456............1......................data...............data
Row 2: .....""....................."".......................""....................""
Row 3:...123456............1......................data...............data

I would want the cells of Rows 1 and 3 outlined and row 2 ignored and tried using a formula to validate the first column of each row as containing 6-digits: Thus return of 6-digitis equals success and outlining, whilst return of "" (or NOT 6 digits equals fail and no outlining)

**slipleft** · 10-12-2011, 05:21 PM

Any good idea?

**JBeaucaire** · 10-12-2011, 05:51 PM

Since your column A seems to only hold null strings or your 6-digit codes, why not just test for <>"" ?

=A1<>""

**slipleft** · 10-13-2011, 09:27 AM

This test is where I began, however for some reason all rows are returning a positive - even those where the unmet formula is returning a ""

=IF('All Actions'!$G73="On-Going",'All Actions'!A73,IF('All Actions'!$G73="Pending",'All Actions'!A73,IF('All Actions'!$G73="Initiated",'All Actions'!A73,IF('All Actions'!$G73="",'All Actions'!A73,""))))

**JBeaucaire** · 10-13-2011, 11:30 AM

It's unclear from the formula given above what might be wrong. Can we look at the workbook together?

In your sample workbook, make sure to point out cells where the formula IS doing what you want, and point out where it is NOT, explain there what it is supposed to show instead.

Click GO ADVANCED and use the paperclip icon to post up a copy of your workbook.