SharePoint Excel - I want columns to highlight-match the conditional format color rule that I have for the column next to it, with priority.

Question

SharePoint Excel - I want columns to highlight-match the conditional format color rule that I have for the column next to it, with priority.

Paige G 20

Hi! In SharePoint Excel, I currently have a checklist where Column D has conditionally format rule to turn green when the "true" value is clicked. I also have a rule where Column E turns yellow when the words "in progress" are written. Ideally, I would like both Column D/E to turn green when the checkbox is clicked in Column D and would also like Column D to turn yellow when Column E is in progress/turns yellow. The checkbox would never be clicked when the line item is still in progress, so there shouldn't be any overlap in color. If there was, turning yellow is the priority. Is there a way to format these columns so their highlight colors match based on each other?

Thanks so much!

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

0 additional answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Hi @Paige G,

Please notify me if I have misunderstood anything about your request. Based on your sharing, you can make both column D and E mirror each other highlight color by using Conditional Formatting using formula across both columns. You can try this setup to see if it works in your situation:

For example, I select the range that I want to format is D1:E10 then go to Home > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules > New Rule > Use a formula to determine which cells to format
Add formula for yellow rule first =ISNUMBER(SEARCH("in progress", $E1)) > set the fill color to yellow > OK
Repeat the same step to add a second rule for green color using this formula = $D1 = TRUE > set the fill color to green > OK
Now go to Home > Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules > ensure Yellow rule is set above the Green rule so yellow can take priority based on your request and check the box of "Stop If True" on the yellow rule.

User's image

Hope my sharing would be helpful for your concern. If you have any questions or need any further clarification, please leave a comment here and I will be happy to continue to help you.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. I'm looking forward to your reply.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread

Hendrix-C 20,015 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-03T22:39:53.9266667+00:00

Good day @Paige G,

Hope things are running smoothly on your end.

Following up on the support thread we've been working on. If you need assistance with anything else, kindly respond to this post, and I will be happy to help.

I want to make sure everything is working as expected and that your experience remains uninterrupted.

Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the troubleshooting process.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.