Today is the first anniversary of Excel Conditional Formatting post (Don’t worry, I am not going to make anniversary posts for all the 150 odd excel articles here). This is the most popular post on PHD. The post has 100 comments and bookmarked on delicious more than 700 times. It is truly a rock star post on PHD.
To celebrate the 1 year of teaching conditional formatting to you all, we have a series of posts, the first of which is “What is excel conditional formatting & How to use it?”
What is excel conditional formatting ?
Conditional formatting is your way of telling excel to format all the cells that meet a criteria in a certain way. For eg. you can use conditional formatting to change the font color of all cells with negative values or change background color of cells with duplicate values.
Why use conditional formatting?
Of course, you can manually change the formats of cells that meet a criteria. But this a cumbersome and repetitive process. Especially if you have large set of values or your values change often. That is why we use conditional formatting. To automatically change formatting when a cell meets certain criteria.
Few Examples of Conditional Formatting
Here are 3 examples of conditional formatting.
So How do I Apply Conditional Formatting?
This is very simple. First select the cells you want to format conditionally. Click on menu > format > conditional formatting or the big conditional formatting button in Excel 2007.
(we have used excel 2003 in this tutorial, but conditional formatting is similar in excel 2007 with lots of additional features)
You will see a dialog like this:
There are 2 types of conditions:
- Cell value based conditions: These conditions are tested on the cell value itself. So if you select a bunch of cells, and mention the condition as between 15 and 25, all the cells with values between 15 and 25 are formatted as you specify.
- Formula based conditions: Sometimes you need more flexibility than a few simple conditions. That is when formulas come handy. Conditional Formatting Formulas are slightly complicated and can be difficult to learn or use if you are new to excel. But they are very useful and intuitive and if you use them once you get a hang of it.
What are the limitations of Conditional Formatting?
In earlier versions of Excel you can only define max. of 3 conditions. This is no longer true if you are using Excel 2007 (read our review of excel 2007)
However, you can overcome the conditional formatting limitation using VBA macros (again, if you are new to excel, you may want to wait few weeks before plunging in to VBA)
Also, you can only use conditional formatting with cells and not with other objects like charts.
Ok, Enough Theory, Time for your First Conditional Formatting
Go ahead, open a new workbook and try few conditional formats yourself. See how easy and intuitive it is. Use it in your day to day work and impress your colleagues. Learn 5 impressive tricks about conditional formatting.
If you have trouble getting started, download the conditional formatting examples workbook.
Tell us how YOU use Conditional Formatting
Share with us how you use CF in your work. I am sucker for conditional formatting and use it wherever I can. What about you?
This post is part of our Spreadcheats series, a 30 day online excel training program for office goers and spreadsheet users. Join today.
129 Responses to “Write a formula to check few cells have same value [homework]”
=NOT(STDEV(A1:A4))
this also works for large ranges of numerical values (but not for text)
@Arie
Nice formula Arie
Except that it doesn't work for Text values
I'll submit
=COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)=COUNTA(A1:A4)
which works for Numbers and Text
and answers the two bonus questions as well
This is waaay more elegant than my solution. Nice one :).
I had =NOT(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1:A4)-COUNTA(A1:A4)), somehow I keep forgetting we can use more than one "=" sign on a given formula :-/
Hi
Works for numbers, text and logical values on a range from A1:An.
=COUNTIF(A1:An,A1)=ROWS(A1:An)
well if you name the range, you could use following:
=IF(SUMPRODUCT(1/COUNTIF('range','range'))=1,1,0)
Hello lockdalf
The IF()-part is not necessary.
=SUMPRODUCT(1/COUNTIF(‘range’,'range’))=1
Not Working for =IF(SUM($C$1:$F$1)=0,"",SUM($C$1:$F$1)) in cell A1 to A4
My solution is a, perhaphs slightly complex, array formula as follows:
{=IFERROR(AVERAGE(IF(ISBLANK(A1:H1),9999,SUBSTITUTE(A1:H1,A1,9999)*1))=9999,FALSE)}
Assuming there is a value (numerical, text, logic etc) in cell A1, this formula will work - and it will 'ignore' any cells that are 'blank' within the range A1:H1 (which can be extended to the required size).
Breaking the formula down, the SUBSTITUTE(A1:H1,A1,9999) replaces all values (be it text / numerical) in the range A1:H1 that MATCH the value of cell A1 with the number 9999 (this should be changed to any number that WON'T APPEAR IN THE RANGE).
These values are then multiplied by 1 (as SUBSTITUTE results in a text answer).
Wrapping this in an IF(ISBLANK(A1:H1),9999,.........) formula takes care of any blank cells, setting them to this default value of 9999 also - this allows you to set the formula up once for a large range and then not have to alter as more data comes in.
An Average is then taken of all these values - if all cells that contain values are the same, the average will come back to 9999.
If all values are numerical but some differ, the average will differ from 9999 and will result in a FALSE answer. If some / all of the values are text and some differ from that in cell A1, the AVERAGE function will result in an Error, but in these instances the Match needs to return FALSE, hence the IFERROR function.
Sure there's a simpler way to do this though!!
`{=IF(AND(COUNTA(RANGE)-SUM(--ISNUMBER(FIND(UPPER(FIRST ELEMENT IN RANGE),UPPER(RANGE))))=0,LEN(FIRST ELEMENT IN RANGE)=MAX(LEN(RANGE))),TRUE,FALSE)}`
so if your data was in Column 1 and began in A1, you'd use
`{=IF(AND(COUNTA($1:$1)-SUM(--ISNUMBER(FIND(UPPER($A$1),UPPER($1:$1))))=0,LEN($A$1)=MAX(LEN($1:$1))),TRUE,FALSE)}`
This will work for strings and things, if you want it to be case sensitive (I don't), just remove the UPPER() part.
What this does:
`COUNTA($1:$1)`
tells you how many entries you're looking at over your range (so we can work with an undetermined size).
`--ISNUMBER()`
ISNUMBER will return TRUE or FALSE depending on if the value inside is a number or not. the -- part converts TRUE/FALSE in to 1 or 0.
`UPPER()` OPTIONAL
converts the value in to upper case. If passed a number it changes it to text format. This is what stops it from being case sensitive.
`FIND($A$1,$1:$1)`
will return a number if A1 is contained in each cell containing an entry in column 1.
`LEN($A$1)=MAX(LEN($1:$1)`
checks that all elements are the same length. This is needed to avoid partial matches (without it, if A1 contained zzz and A2 contained azzza it would flag as true).
REMEMBER this is an array formula, so enter with ctrl+shift+enter.
{=MIN(--(A1=OFFSET(A1,,,COUNTA(A1:A4))))}
Gives 0 if false and 1 if true
=COUNTIF(A:A,A1)/COUNTA(A:A) = 1
This meets both bonus requirements and is dynamic. Keep adding more contents in column A and it will include these automatically.
I like this a one a lot. I would make one small change by inserting a table for my data range. Makes it dynamic without selecting the whole column
=IF(COUNTIF(tableName[colName],A2)/COUNTA(tableName[colName])=1,TRUE,FALSE)
For only Numeric values
=MAX(A:A)=MIN(A:A)
Awesome!
=(A1=B1)*(B1=C1)*(C1=D1)
Case sensitive.
=SUMPRODUCT(0+EXACT(A1:A4,A1))=COUNTA(A1:A4)
Regards
I'd use this
=COUNTIF(range,INDEX(range,MODE(MATCH(range,range,0))))=COUNTA(range)
It takes Hui's formula but ensures that the test value for the countif is the value or string that is most common in the range. Just in case you get a false but the problem is just with your test value being the odd one out.
=SE(E(A1=A2;A1=A3);SE(E(A1=A4;A2=A3);SE(E(A2=A4;A3=A4);"ok")))
SE = IF
E = AND
Seems you could shorten it with
=AND(A1=A2,A1=A3,A1=A4)
Bonus question 1 & 2
Array formula: {AND(A1=A1:AN)}
This will test all cells in range, including text and numbers.
Cheers
A very simple solution uses Excel's Rank function. Insert in B1 = Rank(A1, $A$1:$A$4). Copy down this formula to B4. If the answers in B1 thru B4 are all 1, the values are equal. For an open range of cells, label the range of input (example "TestData") and place the label in the funtion (= Rank(A1, TestData) then copy down to an equivelent length of rows as the range.
=IF(SUM(A1:A4)/COUNT(A1:A4)=A1,TRUE,FALSE)
=IF(SUM(A1:D1)/4=A1,"True","False")
I enjoy your emails. I have learned a lot from them. Thank you for what you do.
.
{=PRODUCT(--(A1=A1:A4))}
.
Change A4 to An.
Greate
{=PRODUCT(- -(A1=A1:A4))}
=IF((SUM(A1:A4)/COUNT(A1:A4))=A1,"TRUE","FALSE")
I would use the formula which is mentioned below:-
=IF(PRODUCT($A:$A)=A1^(COUNTIF($A:$A,A1)),"Yes","No")
At last a homework assignment that I could answer on my own. And I even understand some of the elegant answers from other readers this time.
My solution was to nest IF statements:
=IF(A4=A3,IF(A3=A2,IF(A2=A1,TRUE,FALSE),FALSE),FALSE)
This satisfies bonus question 2 but I think the structure makes it impossible to modify this solution to satisfy bonus question 1. And I wouldn't want to use this strategy to compare very many values...
This answers all of your questions:
=PRODUCT(--(INDIRECT("$A$1:$A$"&$B$1)=$A$1))
where column A contains the values and $B$1 has the number of rows to assign to last A-cell.
Sorry, forgot the braces:
{=PRODUCT(–(INDIRECT(“$A$1:$A$”&$B$1)=$A$1))}
=IF(A1=A2:A2=A3:A3=A4>1,"TRUE","FALSE")
=IF(A1=A2:A2=A3:A3=An>1,"TRUE","FALSE")
=SUM(HELLO, A1)
{=IF(SUM(IF(A1:A4=A1,0,1))=0,TRUE,FALSE)}
This will work for numbers or text, and will work for any number of cells (A4 would just be An)
Here's another alternate, assuming values in cells a1:d1
=IF((A1*B1*C1*D1)^(1/COUNT(A1:D1))=AVERAGE(A1:D1),1,0)
{=IF(AND($A$1:$A$4=OFFSET(A1,0,0)),1,0)}
=SUM(IF(FREQUENCY(MATCH(A1:A4,A1:A4,0),MATCH(A1:A4,A1:A4,0))>0,1))
REVISED FORMULA
=IF((A1=A2)*AND(A1=A3)*AND(A1=A4),"TRUE","FALSE")
Regards
=IF(SUMPRODUCT(--(A2:A5=A2))/COUNTA(A2:A5)=1,1,0)
- should be --
I would use something like this: =COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)
You can even do a whole range and as you enter data into the range it tells you if they all match. Going down to row 5000: =COUNTA(A1:A5000)=COUNTIF(A1:A5000,A1).
Thanks,
B
Just saw Hui response. I really did come up with this and didn't just copy his.
{=SUM(--(A1:A101=A1))=(COUNTA(A1:A10)+COUNTBLANK(A1:A10))}
For numeric values:
=(OFFSET(list,,,1,1)=AVERAGE(list))
where list = A1:A4
I need to retract my own post here guys.
It is WRONG! Let me explain.
Suppose we have
A1 = 1
A2 = 0
A3 = 2
then Average = 1 and OFFSET(list,,,1,1) = 1
so 1 = 1 but all the elements are NOT equal.
correction
{=SUM(--(A1:A10=A1))=(COUNTA(A1:A10)+COUNTBLANK(A1:A10))}
=IF(A1=B1,IF(B1=C1,IF(C1=D1,TRUE,FALSE),FALSE),FALSE) ....
=COUNTIF(OFFSET($A$1,0,0,COUNTA($A:$A),1),$A$1)=ROWS(OFFSET($A$1,0,0,COUNTA($A:$A),1))
I have a little more flexible approach. Suppose the value of 'n' is known. There is a possibility that only some of the cells in a row are filled up. For example if n = 10, then in a row, A1 to A10 must be compared. But in case only cells upto A7 are filled up. The formula thus has to adapt accordingly. Below formula does that:
=COUNTIF(INDIRECT(ADDRESS(ROW(),1)&":"&ADDRESS(ROW(),COUNTA(A1:J1))),A1)=COUNTA(INDIRECT(ADDRESS(ROW(),1)&":"&ADDRESS(ROW(),COUNTA(A1:J1))))
In A1:A100 is word/number
In B1 is word/number we look
C1=MAX(FREQUENCY(IF(A1:A100=B1,ROW(A1:A100)),IF(A1:A100<>B1,ROW(A1:A100)))) array formula
We can use an array formula
{=PRODUCT(--(A1:An=A1))}
OR if we want n variable
{=PRODUCT(--(INDIRECT("A1:A"&COUNTA(A:A))=A1))}
Just as an add on...
The range could be 2D as well
{=PRODUCT(–(A1:Zn=A1))}
{=AND(A1=A2:An)}
I would use this one (simlpe)
=(COUNTA(A:A)=COUNTIF(A:A;A1))
try this
=MAX(A1:A4)=MIN(A1:A4)
Olso try this
{=SUM(RANK(A1:A10,A1:A10))=COUNT(A1:A10)}
Please notice it is an Array Formula
Dear All,
i used that formula
{=IF(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1:A4)=COUNTA(A1:A4),TRUE,FALSE)}
Love the variety of responses.
=MAX(A1:A4)=MIN(A1:A4)
and
=COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)
will return true if the input range has blank cells
My personal fave is the array formula {=AND(A1=A1:A4)}. Short and sweet, and easy to read. Blank cells will tally as a mismatch.
A close second is
=SUMPRODUCT(1/COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1:A4))=1
which will throw an error if blanks are present.
=PRODUCT(B1:D1)=B1^COUNT(B1:D1)...will return TRUE or FALSE
Dear Sir,
My answer is =exact(a2,a1)
=IF((a1=a2=a3=a4),1,0)
4 equal values gives me a 0 ???
Hello Chandoo,
We can also use Conditional Formatting......
For Numerics..
=SUM(A1:AN)/A1=COUNT(A1:AN)
results in True/False.
=AND(IF(A1=B1,1,0),IF(B1=C1,1,0),IF(C1=D1,1,0))
=AND(A1=A2:A4) array entered
Generic
=AND(A1=A2:An) array entered
=--(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)=COUNTA(A1:A4))
will give value as 1 or 0
Hi there, here's a simple formula to determine not only whether all 4 cells (A1 --> A4) are equal, but also whether any of the cells are equal and identifies which cells they are ...
=COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A$1)*1000+COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A$2)*100+COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A$3)*10+COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A$4)*1
A result of 1111 means no cells are equal, 4444 means all cells are equal, 1212 would mean there are 2 cells the same & they are in A2 & A4, etc
=((A1=B1)+(A1=C1)+(A1=D1))=3
Obviously doesn't cover bonus question 1, but does so for q2 🙂
If formula
=MIN(A1:A4)=MAX(A1:A4)
Try this formula
=IF(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)-ROWS(A1:A4)=0,"True","Flase")
I used the Swiss knife of excel: SUMPRODUCT, works for numeric as well as for non-numeric cell content and A1:A4 is obviously easily changed to any range.
=IF(SUMPRODUCT(--(OFFSET($A$1:$A$4,0,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$4)-1,1)=OFFSET($A$1:$A$4,1,0,ROWS($A$1:$A$4)-1,1)))=ROWS($A$1:$A$4)-1,TRUE(),FALSE())
All of the individual non-array formulas (didn't test the array ones) have one flaw or another - mostly specifically if all the columns are blank, the result would still be false.
Another formula in the comments worked for these but didn't work for when all columns had "0.00" in them. My solution was to OR the two. If H3 through H149 have your values, then this is what worked for me:
=IF(OR(COUNTIF(H3:H149,H3)=COUNTA(H3:H149),SUMIFS(H3:H149,H3:H149,1)=COUNT(H3:H149)),IF(H3="","Blank",H3),"")
This solution puts "Blank" if all the rows are blank, otherwise, it puts whatever the value that's in all of the rows - "0.00" or whatever.
Thanks for all the answers!
I used a nested if statement which also showed, via the false message, the first instance of cells which were not equal for the cells a1 to a5.
=IF(A1=A2, IF(A2=A3, IF(A3=A4, IF(A4 = A5, "True","False A4"), "False A3"), "False A2"))
Hi,
First, let me begin by saying, I am a big fan of all your posts and read your emails, mostly on the same day as you send them. I have not replied as much as I wanted to.
This is my first attempt at answering a question on your post
I came up with a simple check which will test if all values in a range A1:An are same or not
Assuming range you want to check is A1:A10,
In Cell B1, insert the formula
=IF(COUNTIFS(A1:A10,A1)=COUNTA(A1:A10),"All cells are same","All cells are not same")
The idea I applied is counting total number of non-blank cells and then counting the number of cells which match cell A1. If these are same, then it means
a) all cells have the same value! (All can be blank, then both counts will be zero)
I am working on finding the range automatically 🙂
Can extend this into VBA and use InputBox etc to generate some user interaction
Thanks
Shailesh
=IF(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)=COUNT(A1:A4),TRUE,FALSE)
For homework & Bonus Question 3
=IF(AND(A1=A2,A2=A3,A3=A4),1,0)
=IF(SUMIFS(A12:A15,A12:A15,1)=COUNT(A12:A15),1,0)
One possible solution could be =+IF(COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)-COUNT(A1:A4)=0,1,0)
where A1:A4 is data range which can be a dynamic range and the formula can be modified accordingly.
Rgds,
Sanjeev Sawal
I got the right result with this one:
=IF(A1=B1;IF(C1=D1;IF(B1=C1;1;0);0);0)
=and(a1=a2,a1=a2,a1=a3)
ANSWER FOR bONUS 1
=MAX(A1:A10)-MIN(A1:A10)
=AND(A1:A3=A2:A4)..Confirm with Ctrl+Shift+Enter (As as array formula). Works well for Text values and large range of values as well.
suppose cells contain 2 values ==== Yes | no
formula :
1
=counta(a1:a4)=countif(a1:a4,"yes")
It will return True or False.
2
=IF((COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNTIF(A1:A4,"yes")),"Same value","Mis-match")
it will return Same Value OR Mis-match.
Hope you like it.
Regards
Istiyak
Also can use this formula
=IF(AND(A1=A2,A1=A3,A1=A4),"1","0")
Let say the values are in the range $B$1:$E$1, then the formula is:
If(sumproduct(--($B$1:$E$1=$B$1))=CountA($B$1:$E$1);1;0)
Please check that:
* $B$1 was used as pivot value and could be randomly selected
* It works well if parenthesis is omitted for values "1" and "0"
* This formula applies also to "n-values" and non-numeric values (text, logical, etc.)
Regards,
A
This formula is equivalent to
If(CountIF($B$1:$E$1,$B$1)=CountA($B$1:$E$1),1,0) mentioned before...
Hi, first time trying to solve a probleme.
New at this but really enjoying Chardoo.org
Think the following will work in all 3 questions
{=IF(SUM(IF(A1=$A:$A,1,0))=COUNTA($A:$A),TRUE,FALSE)}
Regards
Jorrie
use below formula for to get True / False
=COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4)
and use below formula for to get {1/0} or {match / Mismatch}
=IF(COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4),{1,0} or {match,Mismatch})
=IF(COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4),1,0) or =IF(COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4),"Match","Mismatch")
[...] Last week in Write a formula to check few cells have same value [Homework], [...]
Hi, sorry if it's repeated, this array formula works well with numbers or text, the range can easily be dynamic: {=AND(A1:An=A1)} Now, after three days, I understand a lot more about array formulae, thanks?
=IF(AND(A1=A2,A2=A3,A3=A4),"TRUE","FALSE")
What if there are not only four cells to compare but An?
how will I determine if there is one cell that is not equal from any other cells?
=IF(COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4),1,0)
=IF(COUNTA(A1:A4)=COUNT(A1:A4),”Match”,”Mismatch”)+
=IF(AND(A1=A2,A2=A3,A3=A4),”TRUE”,”FALSE”)
=iF(AND(EXACT(C15,D15),EXACT(E15,F15)),"Match","Mis-match")
how this formula works in excel (B4+E4)/50*20
I'm a little late to the party, but I figured I'd post anyways.
For numbers only:
=NOT(VAR.P(A1:An))
The formula given below will fulfill the all criteria including bonus questions
=IF(COUNTA(A:A)=COUNTIF(A:A,A1),"True","False")
REGARDS
=IF(MATCH(A1,A2:A4,0),TRUE,FALSE)
=IF(COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A1)>1,"true","false")
=IF(COUNTIF(A:A,A1)>1,"true","false")
@Naveen
You can simplify your formulas as below:
=COUNTIF($A$1:$A$4,A1)>1
=COUNTIF(A:A,A1)>1
Excel will return True or False without the need for the If() function
Hi ,
This question is similar to the one in the post.
I have Text values in cell A1 and A2.
If A1 = A2, update 10 in cell A3 , else 0.
Is there any formula for this. I am new to VB and hence do not have much knowledge. Eager to learn!!
Thanks in advance !!!
=AND(A1=A2,A1=A3,A1=A4)
also =IF(AND(A1:A4=A1),TRUE,FALSE)
my question is
finding the total of values in cell A1,A2,A3,A4,andA5
@Norine
Is it as simple as =Sum(A1:A5)
One can use "IF, AND" formula.
=IF(AND(A1=A2,A2=A3,A3=A1),"True","False")
=COUNTIF(A:A,A1)=COUNTA(A:A)
Enter array formula like, = IF($B$16:$B$21=$B$17:$B$22,"Yes","No")
Sorry, Enter a array formula like this: =IF(AND($B$16:$B$21=$B$17:$B$22),"Yes","No")
=IF(AND($E$5=$E$6,$E$6=$E$7,$E$7=$E$8),"true","flase")
it can work try this one
A question for you
sheet 1 table A1:C10
What formula in sheet 2 A1 will give me what is entered in the table sheet 1 A1:C10
There is usually only one entry made in the table but if you can supply the answer to 1 or 2 entries I would be grateful
=max(A:A)=min(A:A)
FOR TEXT DATA
=COUNTIF(A1:A5,a1)=COUNTIF(A1:A5,"*?")
FOR VALUE DATA
=COUNTIF(A1:A5,A1)=COUNTA(A1:A5)
Both Return TRUE or FALSE
=if({sum(1/countif($A$1:$A$n,A1:An)}=1,"All Same","Not All Same")
I use formula A1=B1 and get value of TRUE / FALSE in C1. I had dragged this formula for 10 rows. Now in cell D2 i tried to put formula..
=if(and(c1="False", c2="true"), "conflict", "no conflict")
but even when the condition is true i am still getting no conflict.
Can you please advice?
thanks,
Manish
@Manish
Remove the " from around True and False
=if(and(c1=False, c2=True), "conflict", "no conflict")
In C1 and C2 you have a Boolean expression and it evaluates as True/False
These are not text, although they do appear as Text, they are not 1/0 although they sometimes behave as 1/0, they are in fact Boolean values True/False
So in your example you can simplify it as
=If( And( Not(C1), C2), "conflict", "no conflict")
=SUMPRODUCT(MATCH(A1:A4,A1:A4,0))=COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1)
Answer to both bonus questions 2 and 3:
=COUNTIF(A1:An,A1)=COUNT(A1:An)
answer to all questions:
={IF(ISERROR(MATCH(FALSE,((A1:An)=$A$1),0)),"same","different")}
this works with numeric, non-numeric, and blanks:
COUNT will not count numeric
COUNTA will count blanks as one
=SUMPRODUCT(1/COUNTIF(B1:J1,B1:J1))
This will tell you how many unique values exist in the selected range. Text or numeric mixed.
{=IF(AND(A1:A9=A2:A10),"EQUAL","NOT EQUAL")}
this is an array formula, insert it with CSE.
COUNTA/UNIQUE
=SUMPRODUCT(A:A)/A1=COUNT(A:A)
=COUNTIF(A1:A4,A1) = COUNTA(A1:A4)