What to Know

This article explains five different ways to use conditional formatting in Excel.

Excel applies conditional formatting in top-to-bottom order as they appear in theConditional Formatting Rules Managerdialog box.

Check for Dates 30 Days Past Due

In a blank Excel worksheet, highlight cellsC1toC4to select them.

Excel cells with various dates in them

This is therangeto which the conditional formatting rules will be applied.

Excel creating a new conditional rule

Excel screenshot showing the Manage Rules option

Excel screenshot showing the options for a new rule

Excel conditional formatting date formula