Dynamic Conditional Formatting for Multiple Cells

[garret]

Hey all,

I think an image is the best way to show what I want:

Right now, I have three rules set to check cell $A$3 against $A$1. I would like these same rules to apply to the entire columns, though, so:
$B$3's formatting depends on $B$1's value
$C$3's formatting depends on $C$1's value
.. and so on.

Currently the only way I've been able to achieve this result is by doing each cell's conditional formatting rules separately, but I feel as though there should be a better way to do this, like how you can apply functions to multiple cells but have the cell values change in the function to be appropriate for that cell.

Thank you for your time

 

[Joe4]

Welcome to the Board!

Absolute referencing is your friend here~ If you place a dollar sign in front of your column or row reference, it will lock that one down.

So, highlight all your columns you want included, starting with column A, and use this Conditional Formatting formula (1st condition):
=A$1

By doing that, we are locking row 1 in so that never changes. By NOT placing a dollar sign in front of the column reference, we are allowing that to move as we move across columns (so column B checks B1, column C checks C1, etc).

Repeat the same logic with your other two conditions.

 

[garret]

Welcome to the Board!

Thank you!

So, highlight all your columns you want included, starting with column A, and use this Conditional Formatting formula (1st condition):
=A$1

This worked, thank you so much. I was messing around with the $ characters, and actually think I got it at one point but didn't realize it. This will help a lot with my budgeting spreadsheet. Thanks a lot!

 

[Joe4]

You are welcome. Glad I could help!