How do I use conditional formatting in excel to change cell colors based on specific text strings?

Question

I have a column with names and positions of football players. For example, in row 1 there is "LaDainian Tomlinson, RB". There are also WR's, QB's, TE's in the same column. I would like to set up a conditional formula (or other formula) that would set a specific cell color for cells containing "RB", and different colors for QB, WR, etc.

Is this even possible?

Answer 1

What you need to do is highlight the column that you want to do the conditional formatting in.  (column "A" for example).  Then you want to choose conditional formatting and click on "highlight cells rules".  Then you will click on "text that contains".  A pop up formula block will come up and you will type in "RB" and then choose the color you want.  All you have to do is repeat the process and it will do it automatically as you enter the data.

Answer 2

yeah that's possible,

Suppose your data starts in A2 down, in B2, type =right(A2,2)

This would identify the last 2 characters of your data,(eg. RB, WR,QB, etc.)

to format:

select A2, go to home, under the style group click conditional formatting, new rule, use a formula to determine which cells to format,then in edit rule subscription type =B2="RB"

select the format you want, say fill with green, then hit ok

same goes to WR, QB, TE, etc.

then copy A2, highlight A3 down, paste special, format, then hit enter

that's it. hope that helps

Answer 3

Not possible in Excel 2003 as only 3 conditions are allowed e.g. RB, WR, and QB but you would not get TE.

However if you have access to Excel 2007 then you are allowed more conditions in "Conditional Formatting"