Google Sheets Conditional Formatting Rules Flashcards

Which custom formula correctly highlights an entire row when the value in column C of that row exceeds 100?

Answer: =$C1>100

Locking only the column with $C1 lets the rule apply the same column reference across every column while the row shifts, highlighting the whole row.

When applying conditional formatting to a range, which reference in a custom formula should point to the top-left cell of that range?

Answer: The first (top-left) cell of the selected range

Google Sheets evaluates a custom formula relative to the top-left cell of the applied range and adjusts it for the rest.

Which rule type lets you assign a two- or three-point gradient of colors based on numeric magnitude?

Answer: Color scale

The Color scale tab applies a gradient across cells based on their relative values.

To highlight cells that contain any text (are not empty of text), which built-in condition is best?

Answer: Is not empty

'Is not empty' formats every cell that holds any value including text.

Which custom formula highlights duplicate values within column A?

Answer: =COUNTIF(A:A,A1)>1

COUNTIF counts how many times A1's value appears in column A, and >1 flags duplicates.

If two conditional formatting rules both apply to the same cell, how does Google Sheets decide which formatting wins for a conflicting property?

Answer: The rule higher in the list takes priority

Rules are evaluated top-down, and the first (highest) matching rule's formatting takes precedence for conflicting properties.

Which condition would you use to format dates that fall before today's date automatically?

Answer: Date is before + Today

The 'Date is before' condition with the 'Today' option formats cells with dates earlier than the current day.