These icons are so pretty, can I get them in green? [conditional formatting trick]

One of our readers emailed this question recently,

I like the conditional formatting icons. I am trying to present some business data where going down is good. How do I get a green colored down arrow icon?

Essentially, Ms. CanIGetItInGreen wants this:

Unfortunately, Excel’s conditional formatting icons are not customizable. So we can’t get the green down arrows without some sneak. And sneak we shall.

Green color down arrows, red color up arrows – Tutorial

1. Let’s say you have calculated a number (percentage change for ex.) in cell F4.
2. In adjacent cell, write =IF(F4>0,”p”,”q”) This will return p if the value is positive and q otherwise
3. Now change the cell font to wingdings 3. This will change the values p & q to up & down arrow symbols.

   

4. Change font color to green.
5. While keeping the cell selected, go Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule
6. Set up a rule to color the cell value in red when it is p.

   

7. If you wish to see the % value, keep the adjacent cell (F4), else hide it.

Here is the final thing:

Learn awesome conditional formatting tricks

Conditional formatting is one of my most favorite areas of Excel. It has a ton of potential and offers a lot of creative freedom. Check out below tutorials to power up your conditional formatting mojo.

• Monthly planner template with formulas & conditional formatting
• How countries spend their money – conditional formatting chart
• Dashboard best practice: Highlight user selection with conditional formatting
• Data entry: Cleaner input dates with conditional formatting
• Fun: Modeling tiles in a room using conditional formatting

How would you turn the arrow green?

Would you use the above approach or something else? Please share your ideas in the comments section.