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How to highlight a row if a cell equals a value in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Conditional formattingExcel & Google Sheets
=($A2="target")✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Name | Score |
| Alice | 85 |
| Bob | 90 |
| Charlie | 78 |
| David | 92 |
=($A2="target")→FALSE
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Step by step
- 1Select the range of rows you want to apply the formatting to.
- 2Go to the Home tab and click on Conditional Formatting.
- 3Choose 'New Rule' and select 'Use a formula to determine which cells to format'.
- 4Enter the formula `=($A2="target")` where A2 is the first cell in your selected range and "target" is the value you're checking for.
- 5Set your desired formatting style and click OK.
Tips
- Ensure your formula references the correct column and uses absolute or mixed references as needed.
- Test your formula with different values to confirm it works as expected.
- Remember to adjust the formula if you insert or delete rows/columns.
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Frequently asked
Can I highlight multiple rows based on different criteria?
Yes, you can create multiple rules under Conditional Formatting for different criteria.
What if my target value is in a different column?
Adjust the formula to reference the correct column, e.g., `=($B2="target")` if your target value is in column B.
How do I remove the conditional formatting once applied?
Select the formatted cells, go to Conditional Formatting, and choose 'Clear Rules'. You can also manage rules by clicking on '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 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.