changing cell A1 BACKGROUND colour IF CELL A3 for example contains text

**robbyweston** · 03-05-2012, 10:48 AM

Hi again,

Just wondering if anyone can advise, I've looked on the forums for some advice but can't find any. I want to change the background colour of a cell if cells in the same row contain the text 'High'.

E.G. A1 to go green if A14,15, or 16 contain the word 'high'.

Thanks very much in advance.

Robby

**Special-K** · 03-05-2012, 11:03 AM

Use Conditional Formatting
with the following condition

=(OR(A14="high",A15="high",A16="high"))

**robbyweston** · 03-05-2012, 12:21 PM

Hi, just been trying to do this through conditional formatting but I'm getting stuck again I'm afraid. Not sure I fully understand. I also need to add something else where for example,
A1 to go red if A14,15, or 16 contain the word 'high', A1 to go amber if A14,15, or 16 contain the word 'med' or finally, A1 to go green if A14,15, or 16 contain the word 'low'.

It does sound complex I'm sorry but the idea is to create a column of cells (starting from A2) which are color coded in response to assessment results in A14, A15 and A16 which may return a low, med or high text.

Sorry I didn't say this in the beginning.

Many kind regards,

Robby

**Special-K** · 03-05-2012, 12:33 PM

Select the cell you want change

Home tab
Condtional Formatting
New Rule
"Use a formula to determine..."

Enter the formula as per above

Click Format and format as required

Then just OK it

If you want to copy the format you may be able to use Format Painter (paintbrush) to save you retyping the formula numerous times

**robbyweston** · 03-05-2012, 12:52 PM

Ah yes brilliant thank you, it's working now. It only seems to let me create a single colour, is there any way I can make it reflect one of three colours to match a high, med or low text written in the range of cells in the row?

Otherwise excellent, ty for your help.

Robby

**Special-K** · 03-05-2012, 12:55 PM

Just add more new formulas on the same cell as before and change the text

Note in Excel 2003 you can only have up to 3 conditional formulas on a cell