If you want to color the entire row based on whether a specific cell in that row is not empty, you can use a slightly different formula. Here are the steps for both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets.
### Microsoft Excel
1. **Select the Rows**: Highlight the rows you want to format. For example, if you want to format rows based on whether the cell in column A is not empty, select the entire range of rows.
2. **Conditional Formatting**:
– Go to the ‘Home’ tab on the Ribbon.
– Click on ‘Conditional Formatting’ in the ‘Styles’ group.
– Select ‘New Rule’.
3. **Rule Type**:
– Choose ‘Use a formula to determine which cells to format’.
4. **Enter the Formula**:
– Suppose you want to color the entire row if the cell in column A is not empty. Enter the following formula:
“`excel
=$A1<>””
“`
– The `$` sign locks the column reference so that it applies to the entire row.
5. **Format**:
– Click on the ‘Format’ button to choose the formatting options (e.g., fill color, font color).
6. **Apply**:
– Click ‘OK’ to apply the rule, and then ‘OK’ again to close the dialog box.
### Google Sheets
1. **Select the Rows**: Highlight the rows you want to format. For example, if you want to format rows based on whether the cell in column A is not empty, select the entire range of rows.
2. **Conditional Formatting**:
– Go to ‘Format’ in the menu.
– Click ‘Conditional formatting’.
3. **Format Cells If**:
– Under the ‘Format cells if’ section, choose ‘Custom formula is’.
4. **Enter the Formula**:
– Suppose you want to color the entire row if the cell in column A is not empty. Enter the following formula:
“`google-sheets
=$A1<>””
“`
– The `$` sign locks the column reference so that it applies to the entire row.
5. **Formatting Style**:
– Choose the formatting style (e.g., fill color, font color).
6. **Done**:
– Click ‘Done’ to apply the rule.
### Example
If you want to color the entire row yellow where the cell in column A is not empty:
– **Excel Formula**:
“`excel
=$A1<>””
“`
– **Google Sheets Formula**:
“`google-sheets
=$A1<>””
“`
### Summary
Using these steps, you can apply conditional formatting to entire rows based on whether a specific cell is not empty in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. This is useful for highlighting rows that have been filled out, ensuring you can easily see which rows contain data. Adjust the formatting options to fit your specific requirements.