How to Stop Conditional Formatting from Changing
Conditional formatting is a powerful feature in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets, allowing users to automatically format cells based on specific criteria. However, there are instances when the conditional formatting rules may change unexpectedly, leading to confusion and errors. In this article, we will discuss various methods to prevent conditional formatting from changing in your spreadsheets.
1. Lock Cells with Conditional Formatting
One of the simplest ways to stop conditional formatting from changing is by locking the cells that contain the formatting rules. This ensures that the formatting remains consistent even if someone else modifies the data in the sheet.
To lock cells with conditional formatting in Excel:
1. Select the cells with the formatting rules.
2. Right-click and choose “Format Cells.”
3. Go to the “Protection” tab.
4. Check the “Locked” checkbox.
5. Click “OK.”
In Google Sheets, follow these steps:
1. Select the cells with the formatting rules.
2. Click on the “Format” menu.
3. Choose “Protection.”
4. Check the “Lock cells” option.
5. Click “OK.”
2. Use Named Ranges for Conditional Formatting
Another method to prevent conditional formatting from changing is by using named ranges. By creating named ranges for the cells with formatting rules, you can lock the entire range instead of individual cells.
To use named ranges for conditional formatting in Excel:
1. Select the cells with the formatting rules.
2. Go to the “Formulas” tab.
3. Click on “Name Manager.”
4. Click “New.”
5. Enter a name for the range and click “OK.”
6. Click “OK” again to close the Name Manager.
7. Lock the named range by following the steps mentioned in the first method.
In Google Sheets, follow these steps:
1. Select the cells with the formatting rules.
2. Go to the “Format” menu.
3. Choose “Range.”
4. Click on “Name a range.”
5. Enter a name for the range and click “OK.”
6. Lock the named range by following the steps mentioned in the first method.
3. Turn Off AutoUpdate for Conditional Formatting
By default, conditional formatting rules in Excel and Google Sheets update automatically when the data changes. Disabling this feature can prevent the formatting from changing unexpectedly.
To turn off auto-update for conditional formatting in Excel:
1. Go to the “File” menu and select “Options.”
2. Choose “Advanced” from the left pane.
3. Scroll down and find the “When calculating this workbook” section.
4. Uncheck the “Update automatic fields when changing formulas” option.
5. Click “OK.”
In Google Sheets, follow these steps:
1. Go to the “File” menu and select “Spreadsheet settings.”
2. Click on “Auto-recovery.”
3. Uncheck the “Enable automatic recovery” option.
4. Click “Save.”
By following these methods, you can effectively stop conditional formatting from changing in your spreadsheets, ensuring consistency and accuracy in your data presentation.
