Excel: Compare values and mark them in color

If you want to compare values in Microsoft Excel and then mark them in color according to a certain criterion, you can do this with the help of the Conditional Formatting function. Learn here how to use the function in Excel and what other options there are for comparing and highlighting values.

How to compare and highlight values in Excel

To make trends or patterns in your data clear, Excel gives you the ability to compare and visually highlight values using the Conditional Formatting feature.

1. Start Excel.
2. Mark one or more values you want to compare.
3. Switch to the "Start" tab and click on "Conditional Formatting".
4. Select "Cell Highlighting Rules" and click on one of the various pre-made rules.
5. Now either directly specify the value with which your selection should be compared or specify a cell with a comparison value.
6. Click "OK" to apply the rule.

Excel then compares the values with each other and highlights them according to the rules. Alternatively, you can also compare values using the COMPARE function, for example, but you will have to do without the color visualization of the values.

Create your own rules

In addition to the predefined rules, you also have the option to define your own rules.

1. Mark the cell range that you want to format with a custom rule.
2. Switch to the "Start" tab.
3. Click on "Conditional Formatting" at Styles and select the option "New Rule...".
4. Use the input mask to customize the new rule accordingly.
5. Finally click on "OK".