Chapter 20: Visualizing Data Using Conditional Formatting
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on text, dates, blanks, nonblanks, and errors. This rule type is very similar to how condi-
tional formatting was set up in previous versions of Excel.l (^) Format only top or bottom ranked values: Use this rule type to create rules that involve
identifying cells in the top n, top n percent, bottom n, and bottom n percent.
l (^) Format only values that are above or below average: Use this rule type to create rules
that identify cells that are above average, below average, or within a specified standard
deviation from the average.
l Format only unique or duplicate values: Use this rule type to create rules that format
unique or duplicate values in a range.
l Use a formula to determine which cells to format: Use this rule type to create rules
based on a logical formula. See “Formula-Based Conditions,” later in this chapter.
FIGURE 20.3
Use the New Formatting Rule dialog box to create your own conditional formatting rules.
Conditional Formats That Use Graphics
This section describes the three conditional formatting options that display graphics: data bars,
color scales, and icons sets. These types of conditional formatting can be useful for visualizing the
values in a range.Using data bars
The data bars conditional format displays horizontal bars directly in the cell. The length of the bar is
based on the value of the cell, relative to the other values in the range.