Forum Discussion

AliciaDevin's avatar
AliciaDevin
Copper Contributor
Aug 01, 2025

How to turn one cell red if there is a red cell in another cell - but for an entire column of rows.

Hi there, 

 

I am trying to determine how to turn one cell red in a column, if there is another red cell in that same row, but for a series of columns.

 

Here's more context to better explain. I am doing chart audits for healthcare. I have one column (A) with patient names list on separate rows, and then a series of columns I-P) with items that need to be completed in the chart - columns I through P. I have already set up conditional formatting for the series of columns where if a value of the cell says "No" (aka the item is not complete in the chart) that cell turns red. 

 

I would like the patient name (a single cell in column A) to turn red if any of the other cells in that row are red. I believe I can create this using conditional formatting rules. But there will be up to 100 rows and it seems there must be a better way than setting up the rules row by row which would require me to create this rule 100 times. 


Is excel able to do this?

 

Thanks in advance!

1 Reply

  • Let's say you want to apply this to A2:A100.

    Select this range. A2 should be the active cell in the selection.

    On the Home tab of the ribbon, click Conditional Formatting > New Rule...
    Select fx (Format cells where a formula is True)
    Enter the formula

    =OR($I2:$P2="No")

    Click + to create a custom format.
    Select red as fill color.

     

Resources