Conditional formatting - highlighting an entire row

How about the following as an easier option that I just thought of? Hopefully I am not just now remembering someone else's idea from the past thinking it is my own.

Formula in column E =IF(AND(C<40,C<>""), "" , CHAR(10000))

1. Select columns A-D
2. Format is "Text ends with"
3. Click on the blue oval
4. Select cell E2
5. Modify it so it preserves the column as $E2.
6. Yellow fill

This works for all cells other than those that end in that oddball unicode character, which would be highly unlikely. If it ever happened, that cell might get highlighted when it should not. Feel free to choose a different character, I used an even number is all.

The problem with conditional highlighting in Numbers is that the rules are based on comparing the value in the cell to something else, either to another value you type into the rule or to the contents in another cell. You can make a rule like "if the text in this cell is the same as the text in cell A1 then red background" but not "if the text in cell A1 is 'whatever' then red background".

In addition to the methods already mentioned, another way it can be done is with another table (or tables) that mirror(s) your table. A separate mirror is required for each highlighting rule. I believe SGIII's mention of "doubling the number of columns in your table and adding some formulas [then hiding all those extra columns at the end]" is the same general idea, just done in the same table. All the workarounds we know of are cumbersome.

Hi FOO7,

Please post a screen shot of part of your table to help us see what you see. Then we can suggest ways to apply Conditional Highlighting to entire rows.

Regards,

Ian.

It's possible by doubling the number of columns in your table and adding some formulas. Or overlaying your table over another table of the same size.

I find both of these methods cumbersome, so I don't bother. Others will chime in.

This is a recurring question in these. forums. Clearly lots of people would use the feature. It might help to give feedback to Apple at Numbers > Provide Numbers Feedback in your menu.

SG

F007 wrote:

it still appears cumbersome to me.

And you are correct. It gets even more cumbersome if you want several rules and highlight colors. Each requires the same number of new columns. But it can be done if you need it and after it is set up and hidden away you might forget about the work it took to set up.

I just now started from scratch and recreated the same highlighted table from my instructions. There is an error (or lack of clarity) in the instructions when making the filter. Do not select ALL of columns A-D, start at row 2. Leave off the header row. Otherwise the highlighting will be off by one row.

I just realized I put in the wrong screenshot.

I'll be glad to help. I think you'll have to try again on the screenshots. I see none.

Hi F007, would you consider marking Badunit's fifth post as "Solved" so it will float to the top of the thread and later readers will see his neat solution?

SG