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How to highlight cells greater than a value in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Conditional formattingExcel & Google Sheets
=A2>100✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Value |
| 80 |
| 150 |
| 100 |
| 210 |
| 55 |
=A2>100→FALSE
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Step by step
- 1Select the range you want to format (e.g., A2:A6).
- 2Open Conditional Formatting: Excel — Home → Conditional Formatting → Highlight Cell Rules → Greater Than. Sheets — Format → Conditional Formatting → Format cells if: Greater than.
- 3Enter your threshold (e.g., 100) and choose a highlight color, then click OK or Done.
Tips
- Store the threshold in a dedicated cell and use a custom formula rule (=A2>$E$1) so you can update the cutoff in one place and all highlighting adjusts instantly.
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Frequently asked
How do I highlight an entire row when a cell in that row exceeds the threshold?
Select the full row range (e.g., A2:D6) and use a custom formula: =$B2>100 — lock the column with $ so the formula always checks column B for each row.
Can I use two colors — one for above and one for below?
Yes — create two separate Conditional Formatting rules: one for >100 (red fill) and one for <50 (green fill). Rules are applied in order, so manage priority via Manage Rules.
More on Conditional formatting
See all →How-to
How to highlight duplicate values
Highlight duplicate cells automatically with Conditional Formatting using a COUNTIF rule — no formulas to copy manually.
How-toHow to highlight the highest value in a range
Color the maximum value in a range automatically using a Conditional Formatting rule based on the MAX function.
How-toHow to highlight the lowest value in a range
Color the minimum value in a range using a Conditional Formatting rule built on the MIN function.
How-toHow to highlight blank cells
Use conditional formatting with ISBLANK to automatically highlight empty cells in your spreadsheet for easy visual identification.
How-toHow to highlight cells that contain specific text
Use conditional formatting with SEARCH or ISNUMBER(SEARCH()) to highlight any cell containing a specific word or phrase automatically.
How-toHow to shade every other row
Use conditional formatting with MOD and ROW to automatically apply alternating row colors for a banded, readable table layout.