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How to highlight values not in another list in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:Conditional formattingExcel & Google Sheets
=COUNTIF($C$2:$C$6,A2)=0✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Invoice | Ref List |
| INV-001 | INV-001 |
| INV-002 | INV-003 |
| INV-003 | INV-005 |
| INV-007 |
=COUNTIF($C$2:$C$6,A2)=0→TRUE
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Step by step
- 1Put your primary list in column A and your reference list in column C.
- 2Select the range in column A to check, e.g. A2:A20.
- 3Open Conditional Formatting, choose 'Use a formula', and enter =COUNTIF($C$2:$C$100,A2)=0. A count of 0 means the value is absent from the reference list. Set a highlight color and save.
Tips
- Always lock the reference list range with absolute references ($C$2:$C$100) so it does not shift as the rule is evaluated for each row.
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
Frequently asked
What if I want to highlight values that ARE in the other list instead?
Change =0 to >0: =COUNTIF($C$2:$C$100,A2)>0 will highlight only the values that do appear in the reference list.
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.