Conditional formatting is great at modifying the attributes of whatever text appears in a cell. However, Nadim needs a way to change the actual font using condtional formatting. He cannot use a macro to do this, so he wonders if there is a way to actually change the typeface used in cell through conditional formatting.
Nadim is correct—you cannot change the actual font through the use of conditional formatting. When you are setting up a conditional formatting rule you can click the Format button, which displays the Format Cells dialog box. Within the dialog box you can display the Font tab, but that doesn't allow you to change the font. The choices under the Font drop-down list are grayed out, and you can only change the font's attributes (Font Style, Color, etc.).
Many folks have complained about this shortcoming in Excel, but Microsoft has not seen fit to fix it yet. If you'd like, you can express your desire through Microsoft's "suggestion box" for Excel, here:
https://excel.uservoice.com/
If you poke around there you will undoubtedly discover that you aren't the only one pining for this capability.
At the current time, the only way around the problem is the way that Nadim says he cannot use—a macro.
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (4273) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016.
Professional Development Guidance! Four world-class developers offer start-to-finish guidance for building powerful, robust, and secure applications with Excel. The authors show how to consistently make the right design decisions and make the most of Excel's powerful features. Check out Professional Excel Development today!
Excel's conditional formatting feature allows you to create formats that are based on a wide variety of criteria. If you ...
Discover MoreAfter you've applied a conditional format to a cell, you may have a need to later delete that format so that the cell is ...
Discover MoreIf you want to highlight cells that contain certain characters, you can use the conditional formatting features of Excel ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2017-08-28 19:07:43
Dave Onorato, CFC
Although it isn't a font change, dramatic results can be had with italics, bold, and size (as well as color).
Personally, I only use 2 fonts in a sheet, or presentation. Titles and text/data. Make your accents with the bold, italics, and even some color. But remember, too much formatting destroys the effect. Much like spice in a dish. The right amount is magical; overdo it and it is ruined.
2017-08-27 07:04:05
Michael (Micky) Avidan
@Nadim,
You may consider using an Evnt Macro (VBA - Excel Programming Language) which will fire at any cell value change.
IN the body of the Macro you can place an IF Statement to check whatever you have in mind.
Serch "Google" for: EXCEL WORKSHEET_CHANGE EVENT MACRO".
--------------------------
Michael (Micky) Avidan
“Microsoft® Answers" - Wiki author & Forums Moderator
“Microsoft®” Excel MVP – Excel (2009-2018)
ISRAEL
2017-08-26 11:16:27
Nadim Daouk
Hi Allen.
Thanks a lot for publishing and seeking solution to my problem with changing font typeface through conditional formatting.
While we are waiting for Microsoft to address the problem (if they ever do), is there a way for a macro to be automatically initiated say by changing the value of a cell? Kind of having some IF function that checks the value of the cell and calls a macro if the condition is met.
Thanks again for the valuable sites (excell and word) and keep up the good work.
Regards.
Nadim
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2018 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments