Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated April 21, 2025)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Prior to upgrading her version of Excel, Paula was able to select more than one sheet and apply conditional formatting to a group of cells. But when she selects more than one worksheet in Excel now, the conditional formatting option fades. Paula is wondering how she can apply conditional formatting to more than one sheet at a time.
Good question, Paula. It seems that Microsoft did make this change as part of the ribbon-based user interface used in modern versions of Excel. (The ribbon-based interface was introduced with Excel 2007.) Why did they do this? I have no idea, but users are stuck with the results of the change—not being able to apply conditional formatting across multiple worksheets at the same time.
We were able to come up with only two workarounds. The first workaround involves copying the conditional formatting from one worksheet to another. Apply the conditional formatting to the first worksheet, then select all those cells to which you applied the formatting. Next, click the Format Painter (on the Home tab of the ribbon in the Clipboard group), switch to the target worksheet, and select the cells to which the formatting should be applied. That's it.
The second workaround involves running the macro recorder while setting up the conditional formatting on your first worksheet. You can then re-run the macro as you display each of your other worksheets, in turn. The conditional formats are applied to the same cells on the other worksheets.
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2023-02-06 04:16:09
Miranda
thank you. Very helpful and concise.
2022-03-23 05:47:59
Orel
Thank You!
2022-01-29 23:20:44
Cal
Regarding the first workaround.
A note to inform readers the first workaround is really a short cut from having to manually do the conditional formatting. This workaround does not add the cell to the "Applies To:" box. Hence, the "Applies To:" does not show all cells where that conditional formatting is applied to.
2021-10-26 10:22:15
J. Woolley
If you don't want to use the Format Painter, you can Copy > Paste Special > Formatting.
2021-10-25 20:49:33
Peter vA
Awesome tip Allen - thanks bru
2020-02-22 10:48:35
Srinivasan K
It is working fine even after editing the data
Srinivasan k
2020-02-21 16:29:40
James
I think this tip is no longer in effect because when using the format painter it applies the formatting without conditions.
2020-01-07 19:33:26
JeteMc
Thank You for the helpful hint
2019-09-04 08:42:31
Jacqui
Very helpful - thank you
2019-07-23 12:41:13
Kristen Hamid
Just tried it with great results. THANKS for saving me so much time!!
2019-07-23 12:35:31
Kristen Hamid
In your first option of using format painter will this actually create the conditional formatting for future editing on the worksheet?
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