Conditional formatting is one of the most useful features in Excel, and using color scales can make it even more powerful. In this post, we’ll show you how to use color scales in Excel to highlight data and make it more visually appealing.
How to Use Color Scales in Excel
- Select the Range of Cells
- The first step in using color scales is to select the range of cells you want to apply the formatting to. You can do this by clicking and dragging your mouse over the cells, or by selecting the first cell and then holding down the Shift key while selecting the last cell in the range.
- Choose the Color Scale Option
- Once you have your range of cells selected, go to the “Conditional Formatting” option in the “Home” tab of the ribbon. From here, choose the “Color Scales” option, and you’ll see a variety of color options to choose from.
- Select the Color Scale You Want
- Click on the color scale you want to use, and you’ll see the formatting applied to your selected range of cells. Excel will automatically apply the color scale based on the data in your range, with the highest value receiving the darkest shade and the lowest value receiving the lightest shade.
- Customize Your Color Scale
- You can also customize your color scale by selecting the “Customize” option at the bottom of the list. This will allow you to choose your own colors and adjust the range of values to which the colors are applied to.
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Using Data Bars to Highlight Data
Another way to highlight data in Excel is to use data bars. Data bars are similar to color scales, but they use horizontal bars instead of colors to represent the values in your range.
To use data bars, follow the same steps as above, but select the “Data Bars” option instead of “Color Scales.” You can then choose the style and color of your data bars, as well as adjust the range of values that they are applied to.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Be careful not to overuse color scales, as too many colors can make your data difficult to read.
- Remember that color blindness affects a significant portion of the population, so it’s important to use color scales that are easily distinguishable for everyone.
What’s Next in Excel?
Now that you’ve learned how to use color scales in Excel, there are plenty of other formatting options you can explore. You can learn more about these options and how to use them effectively in Sheetleveller’s Learn Excel section.