Conditional Formating

mahoward

I have a column where multiple values can be selected. When "A" is selected certain other columns are blacked out. I want to have a rule that when "B" is also selected a few of those columns that were previously blacked out become normal again. However, when I try to create the rule for "B" it removes the rest of the blacked out columns that should remain. I'm sure there is something I'm missing here. Any help would be appreciated.

Brian Wilson DC

@mahoward I believe if I'm reading this correctly the simple solution is just to reorder your rules list for your conditional formatting. The order in which they are listed under the conditional formatting menu is the order in which the rule will be applied to a column. I also think you'll have to change your logic so instead of "blacking out a column" your B rule references keeping a column "white". So you put your most limiting rule first followed by the least. In your case it would look something like:

Rule 1 - if "B" is selected, White Formatting for A and B only.
Rule 2 - if "A" is selected, black out Columns, A, B, C and D.

In this case if you only chose A, then all columns A thru E would be blacked out. But if you went back and added B, it would first apply conditional formatting to the B rows you want to preserve. See below as an example:

Please let me know if you have any questions.

-Brian

Andrée Starå

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/139705/conditional-formating

Hi,

I hope you're well and safe!

Try changing the order of the rules. Its priority is set by the order.

I hope that helps!

Be safe, and have a fantastic day!

Best,

Andrée Starå | Smartsheet Expert Consultant & Partner / CEO @ WORK BOLD

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Brian Wilson DC

@mahoward I believe if I'm reading this correctly the simple solution is just to reorder your rules list for your conditional formatting. The order in which they are listed under the conditional formatting menu is the order in which the rule will be applied to a column. I also think you'll have to change your logic so instead of "blacking out a column" your B rule references keeping a column "white". So you put your most limiting rule first followed by the least. In your case it would look something like:

Rule 1 - if "B" is selected, White Formatting for A and B only.
Rule 2 - if "A" is selected, black out Columns, A, B, C and D.

In this case if you only chose A, then all columns A thru E would be blacked out. But if you went back and added B, it would first apply conditional formatting to the B rows you want to preserve. See below as an example:

Please let me know if you have any questions.

-Brian

mahoward

Thank you, Brian! I hadn't thought to change rule "B" to be white. Works like a charm.