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MS Excel 2003: Change the font color in one cell based on the value in another cell

This Excel tutorial explains how to use conditional formatting to change the font color of a cell based on the value of another cell in Excel 2003 and older versions (with screenshots and step-by-step instructions).

Question: In Microsoft Excel 2003/XP/2000/97, is it possible to format one cell based on the value of a different cell? I want to highlight a client's name if their balance due exceeds a certain value.

Answer: To do this, we have our client names stored in column A with the corresponding balances in column B.

Because we want to highlight those client names whose balances exceed a certain value, highlight all of the client names. In this example, we are highlighting cells A2 to A5. Then select Conditional Formatting under the Format menu.

When the Conditional Formatting window appears, select "Formula Is" in the first drop down. Then enter the following formula:

=B2>245

Because your first cell in the highlighted range is A2, you need to write the formula relative to this cell. So in this case, we want to highlight all client names whose balance exceeds $245. This is why we used cell B2 as the cell to test the balance of. Excel will automatically figure out the formula for all other cells in the highlighted range.

Next, we need to select the color to use as the font color when our balance is exceeded. To do this, click on the Format button.

When the Format Cells window appears, select the font color that you'd like to see the client name displayed. In this example, we've selected red. Then click on the OK button.

When you return to the Conditional Formatting window, you should see the following. Click on the OK button.

Now when you return to the spreadsheet, the conditional formatting will be applied.

As you can see, both Heather Fraser and Joe Mathis are in red because their balances exceeded $245.