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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.
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
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.