Microsoft Office

Visualizing Data Using Conditional Formatting 21
Working with Conditional Formats
This section describes some additional information about conditional formatting that you may find useful.
Managing rules
The Conditional Formatting Rules Manager dialog box is useful for checking, editing, deleting, and adding
conditional formats. Access this dialog box by choosing Home ➪ Styles ➪ Conditional Formatting ➪
Manage Rules.
You can specify as many rules as you like by clicking the New Rule button. As you can see in Figure 21.21,
cells can even use data bars, color scales, and icon sets all at the same time — although I can’t think of a
good reason to do so.
FIGURE 21.21
This range uses data bars, color scales, and icon sets.
Copying cells that contain conditional formatting
Conditional formatting information is stored with a cell much like standard formatting information is stored
with a cell. As a result, when you copy a cell that contains conditional formatting, you also copy the conditional
formatting.
TIP
To copy only the formatting (including conditional formatting), use the Paste Special dialog
box and select the Formats option.
If you insert rows or columns within a range that contains conditional formatting, the new cells have the
same conditional formatting.
Deleting conditional formatting
When you press Delete to delete the contents of a cell, you do not delete the conditional formatting for the
cell (if any). To remove all conditional formats (as well as all other cell formatting), select the cell. Then
choose Home ➪ Editing ➪ Clear ➪ Clear Formats. Or, choose Home ➪ Editing ➪ Clear ➪ Clear All to
delete the cell contents and the conditional formatting.
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