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How to highlight cells less than a value in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Conditional formattingExcel & Google Sheets
=A2<10✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Value1 | Value2 |
| 8 | 12 |
| 5 | 15 |
| 10 | 9 |
| 7 | 11 |
=A2<10→TRUE
Try it with your data
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Step by step
- 1Select the range of cells you want to format (e.g., A2:B5).
- 2Go to the Home tab, click Conditional Formatting, and choose New Rule.
- 3In Excel, select 'Format only cells that contain'. In Google Sheets, choose 'Custom formula is'.
- 4Enter the formula =A2<10 (adjust the cell reference as needed).
- 5Click Format to choose your formatting style, then OK.
Tips
- Ensure your formula references the top-left cell of your selected range.
- Adjust the formula to match your specific criteria and data range.
- Remember to apply the rule to the entire range you wish to format.
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Frequently asked
Can I use this method to highlight cells greater than a value?
Yes, simply change the formula to > instead of <.
What if my threshold value is in another cell?
Reference that cell directly in your formula, e.g., =A2<$C$1.
How do I remove the conditional formatting once applied?
Select the formatted cells, go to Conditional Formatting, and choose Clear 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 cells greater than a value
Use Conditional Formatting with a simple greater-than rule to automatically color cells that exceed a threshold value.
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.