Automatic Cell Highlighting

Ryan Coles

I am logging man hours for construction jobs. I have three columns that perform this function. One column for "Budgeted Hours", one for "Actual Hours" and one for "Remaining Hours". I input hours into the "Actual Hours" column daily and it updates the "Remaining Hours" column automatically. I want to set up a formula that will turn the "Remaining Hours" cell red if the number goes into the negatives. This will help provide a more noticeable alert for when we go beyond the number of hours we budgeted for the job verses how many we actually work. 

samanthaw

Hi Coles, 

You can certainly achieve this using the Conditional Formatting feature. I've attached some screenshots. I set the grid up as described and then created the rule shown below to achieve your requested outcome.

 

 

Ryan Coles

That is perfect! thank you! 

Christopher Brown

The solution was great... another option would be if the cell contains a (-). I prefer the previously noted suggestion as I had a similar challenge. Thanks for this!