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How to highlight cells that contain specific text in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Conditional formattingExcel & Google Sheets
=ISNUMBER(SEARCH("pending",A2))✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Status |
| Pending approval |
| Completed |
| Pending review |
| Approved |
=ISNUMBER(SEARCH("pending",A2))→TRUE
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Step by step
- 1Select the range to format, e.g. A2:A20.
- 2Open Conditional Formatting and choose the 'Use a formula' option.
- 3Enter =ISNUMBER(SEARCH("pending",A2)), set your highlight color, and save the rule.
Tips
- Replace SEARCH with FIND for a case-sensitive match — SEARCH is case-insensitive while FIND is not.
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Frequently asked
Can I highlight based on a cell reference instead of a hardcoded word?
Yes. Put the keyword in a cell like E1, then use =ISNUMBER(SEARCH($E$1,A2)) in the conditional formatting formula so you can change the keyword without editing the rule.
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 shade every other row
Use conditional formatting with MOD and ROW to automatically apply alternating row colors for a banded, readable table layout.