Forum Discussion
Ronnie_Boone
Mar 17, 2022Copper Contributor
Conditional Formatting error
Why is it that sometimes when I enter a formula in Conditional Formatting, Excel changes it when I save it? For instance, I just entered a formula to highlight all rows that have "Yes" in column B. My code entered was =$B2="Yes", but when I saved it, nothing was highlighted. When I looked at the code again, Excel had changed it to =$B1048541="Yes". Why does Excel do this? It's not the first time.
PS - This is the Microsoft 365 Apps for business version of Excel.
- Ronnie_BooneCopper Contributor
I'm not sure anyone is understanding my question. It's not an issue of what my code is. My issue is that Excel changes it, when I save it, from =$B2="Yes" to =$B1048541="Yes". when I first create it. Then, I have to go back into the code and change it back to =$B2="Yes" before it will work.
- JasposCopper ContributorI know this is an old post, but I have suffered with this, but have found the answer, see here:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/62333388/excel-conditional-formatting-formula-changes-after-i-apply-the-rule
(It's all to do with which cell is active when you enter relative cell values ie cell addresses with 1 or no $ signs) We do understand your question; it's just that you didn't refer to the correct cell when you created the rule.
- PeterBartholomew1Silver Contributor
It is just a by-product of the rubbish idea of relative referencing that has been a defining characteristic of the electronic spreadsheet from its inception. If
= ($B2="Yes")
is applied to a cell within a conditionally formatted range, the cell above will be
= ($B1="Yes")
and above that
= ($B1048576="Yes").
That is, conditional format references, like defined names, wrap from top to bottom of the sheet rather than throwing an error. The conditional format is still valid, if you went to the bottom of column B and typed Yes it would trigger the CF.
- Riny_van_EekelenPlatinum Contributor
Ronnie_Boone What is the applied range for the CF rule. If that is $B:$B you need to use =$B1="Yes"
- Ronnie_BooneCopper ContributorNo, it's $A2:$G47. I used $B2 because the first row is headers.
- harshulzIron Contributor
Ronnie_Boone
is this same data you entered, because it works fine .do you face it all workbook or this one is specific?
if it is specific then please upload sample data