Identifying duplicate content in column

[excelstart]

Hi,

I am trying to highlight a cell in red when all its content is already
contained in any of the cells above it.

I was recommended to use something like =COUNTIF(A:A,A1)>1 , however
this seems to be looking for duplicate number values (with the > 1). Am
I correct?

Essentially I need to say:

if the content of cell Ax is = to the content of any of the cells
A1:Ax-1, then highlight Ax in red

Is this possible?

JP

 

[Steve]

Provided your formula is in a conditional format, it will highlight ALL
duplicates in column A.
To Highlight duplicates without highlighting the first value, use this
formula in conditional formatting in cell A1 then use the formula painter
down column A or Edit, Paste Special, Formats.

=COUNTIF(A1:$A$1,A1)>1

 

[excelstart]

Confused, if I input the formula in the cell and copy it down the
column, and then I try to fill in the data, the formulas are replaced
with the text I type in.

Is there any way of embedding the formula in the cells so that the
formula is not affected by me typing the content?

JP

 

[Steve]

Your formula needs to be entered as a conditional format formula. To do
this:
1) Click on cell A1
2) Click the Format menu
3) Click "conditional Formatting
4) Change the condition from 'cell value is' to 'formula is'
5) Copy and paste the formula from the previous mail
6) Click the 'Format' button
7) Choose your formatting options
8) Click 'OK'

To learn more, try Debra Dalgleish's site
http://www.contextures.com/xlCondFormat01.html