Excel 2007 Traffic Light with dates

[Robert H]

I’m trying to use the conditional formatting, traffic light feature
with dates and am finding the new Edit Formula Rule app to be rather
limiting. Hopefully it’s just my ignorance.

Cell E1 contains current date (updated when the workbook is opened)
several other cells have fixed expiration dates. In the expiration
date cells I want traffic lights indicating: red once the date matches
current, yellow seven days in advance, and green anytime the date in
the cell is greater than 7 days beyond the current date.

I can get red and green to work but getting yellow is a mystery.

Green value is set to “E1” and Type set to Number

Yellow says “when < formula and” then there is an option to select >
or “=>” and enter a value. In the value I have tried “=E1+7 just “=7”
etc but all I can accomplish is that yellow never works or will always
work when the date is exceeded with red never working.

I assume that yellows formula in “when < formula and” is referring to
the “value” for green even if number is selected for green instead of
“formula”. Makes me think that I could never create the condition I
want.

If I sound confused it’s because I am! The help feature does not
explain the feature that I can find
Any help will be appreciated.
Robert

 

[Squeaky]

Hi Robert,

Perhaps you need to change the order of preference within your conditional
formatting.

For my experiment I put =today() in cell a1

I then put 11/10/2009 in a2, and dragged it to k2 so it increments up to
today's date.

First, select all the cells you need to format, then go to conditional
formatting and create new rules.
I have the 3 following entries:

=a2<$a$1-7 Background is green

=a2=$a$1 Background is red

=a2<$a$1 Background is yellow

Make sure they in the order as above using the arrows. Apply.

Alter to fit your cells.

Squeaky

 

[Squeaky]

Just an additional note:

If you change the order in conditional formatting, say, move the yellow to
the top of the list to give that one first preference, you will never get a
green background because the yellow formula overrides the green one
completely, whereas with the green formula on top it only overrides the
yellow when the dates are 7 days and older.

 

[Robert H]

First, thanks for the response.
However, I dont think I can do what you are sugesting in the traffic
light ICON set.

There is no option that I can see to change the order of precidence in
a way that will place yellow at the top of the list, only revers the
order. yellow is always in the middle.

BTW I am using excel2007 getting to where Im with the following
steps: Home Tab, Style group, Conditional Formatting, Manage Rules,
New rule, Under format style select ICON sets, Under ICON style select
"3 Traffic Lights (Untrimmed)

Thanks
Robert

 

[Herbert Seidenberg]

Excel 2007
Conditional Formatting, Icons
Red traffic light in the middle.
http://www.mediafire.com/file/ymqyqzjmvnn/11_20_09a.xlsx

 

[Robert H]

Herbert, I was able adjust the formula in the indicator cell to match
my needs.
=IF([Exp]>Target+7,1,IF([Exp]<Target+1,-1,0))
Its a shame you have to manipulate the sheet so much to make it work.
But whatever it takes...
Thank You very much
Robert

 

[Squeaky]

Hi Robert,

When you open the Conditional Formatting Rules Manager, In the line where
you see "New Rule, Edit Rule, Delete Rule, if you go to the right just a bit
more you will see some arrows. Highlight a rule, then use the arrows to move
that rule up or down to give it preference.

Squeaky.