How to set cell color equal to another cell color in Excel?

Hi @Darren Yong

Excel formulas cannot directly copy a cell’s fill color. However, you can reproduce the same result by applying matching Conditional Formatting rules to Columns G and B.

Column H already contains the results of the COUNTIF formula and is conditionally formatted according to the count:

• 2 = red
• 3 = yellow
• 4 = green
• 5 or more = blue

To make Column G match Column H, select G3:G38, then go to:

Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule > Use a formula to determine which cells to format

Create the following rules and apply the same fill colors used in Column H:

• Red: =$H3=2
• Yellow: =$H3=3
• Green: =$H3=4
• Blue: =$H3>=5

Set the Applies to range for each rule to: =$G$3:$G$38

Next, to make Column B match the corresponding colors in Column G, select B3:B100 and create these formula-based Conditional Formatting rules:

• Red: =COUNTIF($B$3:$B$100,B3)=2
• Yellow: =COUNTIF($B$3:$B$100,B3)=3
• Green: =COUNTIF($B$3:$B$100,B3)=4
• Blue: =COUNTIF($B$3:$B$100,B3)>=5

Set the Applies to range for each rule to: =$B$3:$B$100

Please note that the existing red rule in Column H should be changed from Cell Value > 1 to Cell Value = 2. Otherwise, counts of 3, 4, and 5 also satisfy the >1 condition, which may cause overlapping formatting.

This setup will keep all three columns visually consistent:

• Column H is colored according to the count.
• Column G uses the corresponding count in Column H.
• Column B counts each repeated item and applies the same color.

Hopefully this helps resolve the issue. If anything is unclear or the issue persists, feel free to reply below.

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