Manage conditional formatting rules

You can apply more than one conditional formatting rule to a column. For example, for a column of test scores, you can apply one rule that formats cells that contain passing scores as green. You can then apply another rule to the same column that formats cells that contain failing scores as red. When you apply multiple formatting rules, you can manage those rules in the Manage Rules dialog box.

Change the order of precedence for rules

If you enter more than one rule for a column, then the last rule you entered has precedence over the next to the last rule, and so on. However, you can change the order of precedence of the rules.

  1. Choose Data > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules.
  2. From Show formatting rules for, select the column.
    The conditional formatting rules for the selected column are displayed under Rules in their order of precedence.
  3. Select a rule and use the up and down arrow buttons to change its place in the order of precedence.
  4. To return to the original order, click Reset.
  5. To delete a rule, select it, then click the Delete button .
  6. Click OK.

Delete conditional formatting rules

To delete all rules for a column, click in the column, then right-click and choose Editor > Conditional Formatting > Clear Rules > Clear Rules from Selected Columns.

To delete all rules for a worksheet, click in the worksheet, then right-click and choose Conditional Formatting > Clear Rules > Clear Rules from Entire Worksheet.

To delete selected rules for a column, do the following:
  1. Click in the column, then right-click and choose Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules.
  2. From Rules, select the rule that you want to delete, then click the Delete button .
  3. Click OK.

Change the formatting for a rule

  1. Click in the column with the conditional formatting rule, then choose Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules.
  2. From Rules, select the rule.
  3. Click Format.
  4. Select a Background color, a Font Color, and a Font Style for the cell formatting.
  5. Click OK in each dialog box.