Conditional Formatting - Comparing two columns

Lacey Augustine · 12/03/18

Please share with me your best advice.

I am sharing an inventory report. If the low level is greater than the actual # of units we have, I want the column to be highlighted. While reviewing conditional formatting I do not see how I can compare the two columns to create the formatting.

Each inventory item has a different low level established so I can not do an across the board "if less than" for the # of actual units.

Brian W · 12/03/18

You will need to create a “helper” column that compares the two numbers and gives a result like a flag. You can then create a conditional format that says “If Helper column is a flag then apply this format to Inventory column.”

If you don’t want to see the helper column, you can always hide it.

Lacey Augustine · 12/03/18

That worked perfectly. Thank you!

Jose Munoz · 03/03/20

Can you please share the formula that you will create to compare both values and turn the flag on or Off

Paul Newcome · 03/03/20

@Josem29 What are your column names that you want to compare, and how are you comparing them?

ArthurC · 03/05/20

i understand using a helper column and using If formulas to give results, then conditional format based on the result.

ie. =If[John sales]>[Target],1,0. Then conditional format, if format column = 1, highlight row/cell red.

BUT does that mean that I need a helper column for every single column? if i have 50 staff (and 50 columns) and I want to highlight each cell, then i have to have a helper for each?

Paul Newcome · 03/09/20

@ArthurC Not necessarily. You could join the names of each person that meets your requirement into one cell and base your Conditional formatting off of whether that one cell contains a specific text string. You would however still need to create 50 individual Conditional Formatting rows to be able to format each of the 50 columns individually.

Conditional Formatting - Comparing two columns

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