Conditional Formatting Problem

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Level 1

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Conditional Formatting Problem

Hey,

I have a question concerning Numbers 09 and conditional formatting. I already searched the community for that problem but I did not found a satisfying result.

So here is my problem: When I have spreadsheet with one column and several rows and I want to compare the values of the rows with the value of the header row, I normally use conditional formatting to highlight the comparison (comparing A1 with Ax). So far, so good. Now when I add another column to that spreadsheet where the same comparison is needed, how can I apply the conditional formatting rule to that column (comparing B1 with Bx), too?

Do I really need to re-add every rule again for a new column in that case or is there an easier way?

Thanks for your help!

Best regards

Daniel

Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Feb 18, 2013 3:34 AM

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Answer 1

Badunit

Level 7

25,850 points

Feb 18, 2013 6:18 AM in response to derroque

You can Copy Format / Paste Format to get it started but you'll have to edit the cell reference so it points to the header cell in the new column. For your simple rule where the format in the entire column is comparing to one specific cell in the header, that's not such a big deal. For some rules, though, it can be a pain. For instance if you have a format in A2 that compares itself to the cell next to itself (B2) and you would like to fill that rule down the entire column so each cell is comparing iteslf to the one next to it, you cannot.

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Answer 2

Barry

Level 9

59,861 points

Feb 18, 2013 10:41 PM in response to derroque

Hi Daniel,

As Badunit says, it's no big deal in this case to select all the cells in B, then recreate the rule with reference to B1.

For the more complicated case BU describes. there is a bit of a short cut: Select all the cells to be given the rule and set the cell reference(s) to the one needed for the first cell.

Select each of the other cells in turn and:

-- click the cell reference to select it.

-- click the cell to be referenced.

-- (repeat for other cell references in that set of rules)

Repeat with each of the remaining cells to be formatted.

Regards,

Barry

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Answer 3

derroque Author

Level 1

0 points

Feb 20, 2013 1:27 AM in response to Barry

Thanks for your help guys.

When I got you right, there is no other way than recreating the rule for every new column. That's no big deal for one new column with one rule. But I have several columns and I use the same three rules for each of them. It is so annoying to add 3*X rules per hand. I hoped that Apple had included a better rule management tool :/

Regards,

Daniel

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Answer 4

Barry

Level 9

59,861 points

Feb 20, 2013 9:41 AM in response to derroque

Hi Daniel,

"I hoped that Apple had included a better rule management tool :/"

Your hopes will have a better chance of being fulfilled in a future version if you (and others) Provide Numbers Feedback using the menu item with that name found in the Numbers menu in Numbers '09. Feature enhancement requests made there go directly to Apple. Comments made here are read by users like yourself. Apple doesn't actively monitor these forums except to ensure compliance with the Terms of Use statement.

Regards,

Barry

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