How to Change Font Color to Red for Negative Values in Excel
In Excel, you can highlight data by automatically changing the font color to red when a cell’s value is negative. This can be easily set up using Conditional Formatting. In this article, we will explain the steps in detail.
Method 1: Using Conditional Formatting
With Conditional Formatting, you can automatically set the font color to red when the cell’s value is negative.
Steps
- Select the range of cells where you want to apply the red font color (e.g., A1:C3).
- Click on the “Home” tab and choose “Conditional Formatting” → “New Rule”.
- Under “Select a Rule Type,” choose “Use a formula to determine which cells to format”.
- Enter the following formula:
=A1<0 - Click “Format” and set the font color to red under the “Font” tab.
- Click “OK” to apply the rule.
Example
In the table below, the font color for negative values in column A will be set to red.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | -10 | 20 | 30 |
| 2 | 50 | -25 | 15 |
| 3 | 5 | 10 | -35 |
Result
After applying the above settings, the font color for negative values (A1, B2, C3) will automatically change to red.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | -10 | 20 | 30 |
| 2 | 50 | -25 | 15 |
| 3 | 5 | 10 | -35 |
Method 2: Using Cell Formatting
If you want the font color for all negative values in the range to be red, you can change the cell formatting.
Steps
- Select the range of cells to format.
- Right-click and choose “Format Cells”.
- In the “Number” tab, select “Number” and choose the option to display negative numbers in red.
- Click “OK” to apply the setting.
Notes
- This method applies to the entire number format, making it simpler than Conditional Formatting.
- However, if you need to set multiple conditions, Conditional Formatting is required.
Points to Remember
- Conditional Formatting and Cell Formatting affect the display only and do not change the underlying data in the cells.
- Ensure the data is accurate before applying these settings.
- For large datasets, selecting the appropriate range can improve efficiency.
Conclusion
To change the font color to red for negative values in Excel, you can use either Conditional Formatting or Cell Formatting. Choose the method that best suits your needs to manage data visually and effectively. Give it a try!