can I make Blank cells a color?

[Frank]

Hi,
excel 2003, is their a filter, or way, to have a column formatted so that if
thier i no info in the cell it is distinguishable immediately, like a color
maybe? Just give me the crumbs and I will be happy to do the research and
learn.
Thanks
Frank

 

[Dave Peterson]

Look at Format|Conditional formatting

spoiler alert....

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Select the column (Say column C).
with C1 the activecell in the selection
format|conditional formatting
formula is: =C1=""
click on the Format... button
choose the format you want
(I'd use the pattern tab and a nice color)

 

[Max]

One way via conditional formatting ..

Try this:
Press CTRL+A (this selects the entire sheet)

Click Format > Conditional Formatting

Under Condition 1, set it as:
Formula is| =NOT(ISBLANK(A1))
Click Format button > Patterns tab > Light green? > OK

Click OK at the main dialog

Now test it out, enter anything in any cell on the sheet
The cell will be filled with the light green color

 

[Max]

Oops ! Had it the other way round ..
Just change the cond format formula to: =ISBLANK(A1)
if you want to fill blank cells (as per post)

Now when you enter anything in any cell,
the cell will become "colourless" (i.e. the default "no fill" color)
(or it'll just assume the normal fill color applied, if done)

 

[David McRitchie]

Another potential problem,
you would want to select cell A1 before using Ctrl+A
so that A1 is the activecell that the formula is based on. Without
that bit of information the Original Poster will wonder why C.F. works
great sometimes and fails at other times.
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/condfmt.htm

 

[Frank]

Thanks so much to all of you guys and gals. This is one of the most "quick
and understandable response" NG's I have been to. Really great!
Frank

Another potential problem,
you would want to select cell A1 before using Ctrl+A
so that A1 is the activecell that the formula is based on. Without
that bit of information the Original Poster will wonder why C.F. works
great sometimes and fails at other times.
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/condfmt.htm

 

[Max]

David, thanks. Good point there about ensuring
that cell A1 is selected before using Ctrl+A

Frank - you're welcome !