Q: How can I indicate an increase in value

Cells don't have to be formatted one at a time. You can apply the same format ton an entire column, row or table at once.

If you want arrows or triangles, that will take some programming and an auxiliary column. Not difficult though.

Jerry

Hi Rene,

A simple example using triangles might be like this:

I added a column B after the numbers to hold the triangles, then removed column Grid Lines via the Table panel of Format.

The formula I entered in cell B2 is:  =IF(A3=A2,"",IF(A3>A2,"▲","▼"))

I then filled the formula down through the rest of the column by dragging the yellow handle.

You can find triangles and other symbols in the Mac Character Viewer.

SG

You can also use conditional formatting like this:

Wayne,

How would you set up Conditional Highlighting so it's, say, green background when the value in the cell is greater than the cell above it, red when it's less, and no color if it's the same?

I couldn't get that far but there must be a way that's not too much trouble.  I assume it still involves an extra column somehow?

SG

Did you look at the example above?  I think that is what I presented.  Notice that F2 is selected

Wayne,

Ok, I can see the graphics in your post now (I seem to have the old lag problem back again where the email comes in but can't see the latest in the browser).

That looks good. I should be looking at column F. So you don't need the column E, is that correct, i.e. you can do all this without adding a extra column?

And how do you enter i? Apply the Condition Highlighting in F2 and then "fill" down somehow to the rest of the cells in that column?

SG

No extra column needed.

Apply the Condition Highlighting in F2 and then "fill" down somehow to the rest of the cells in that column?

Yep.

So how do you "fill" Conditional Highlighting down if you already have a column of numbers? It seems different from a formula.

SG

I think you will have to copy the numbers to a different column,

then add the conditional formatting, then

add a formula to refer to the new column, then copy

then paste to the rest of the column

then select the column, copy, then paste back values (or formula results).

Thanks for the pointers, Wayne.

The idea of not needing an extra column has a lot of appeal, but I'm having trouble figuring out the mechanics of Conditional Formatting, how to "fill" down like a formula.

Ah, I think that's what the 'Combine Highlighting Rules' is for. I just tried Add a Rule.. to one cell. Then I selected the column of cells including the one with the rule I just set up. Hitting "Combine Highlight Rules" seems to have the effect of a fill down, at least for a simple rule. Haven't had a chance to see if this will work for your relative reference to cell F1, but maybe a temporary new column isn't needed.

SG

This is great, Wayne. Thanks.

Select the first cell in the column and add your rule, taking care to uncheck Preserve Row:

Select all the cells click Show Highlighting Rules... and then Combine Highlighting Rules:

The Conditional Highlighting "fills" to the rest of the cells:

No extra column needed!  (unless you want triangles, etc.)

SG

You could combine with the triangles too.  I like the triangles.