How to use Conditional Formatting for duplicate values in a Column

MrsPharmacy

I have a simple Smartsheet for re-ordering. The user scans the UPC of the item they need reordered. I'd like to setup a conditional format to highlight a cell if the UPC that is being added is already in the sheet. I can do this in Excel, having a hard time figuring it out in Smartsheet.

Paul Newcome

You'll need a helper column with a formula in it to flag rows with duplicates.

=IF(COUNTIFS(UPC:UPC, @cell = UPC@row) > 1, 1)

Then you would build your conditional formatting off of this helper column.

MrsPharmacy

Thank you! This works, but if the value is removed due it being a duplicate (which is what I want) the cell says colored. Is there anyway around this?

Paul Newcome

It shouldn't. I have noticed in a few of my sheets that conditional formatting is running a bit slow today. Try giving it a minute and then refreshing your browser.