Using Conditional_Formating to show COMMENT?
Posted by Tony R. Dufresne on March 16, 2001 7:45 AM
I have a spreadsheet where the total of a cell in column "N" (for males) is dependent on the cell whole number figures in columns "C",
"J", and "L". Then then there is a total in a cell in column "AB" (for combined ethnic origin and gender totals), which is dependent on
the cell whole number figures in columns "P", "R", "T", "V" and "X". I have set it up, using Conditional_Formating, so as that if the
number in the cell in column "AB" does not match the number in the cell in column "N" then the color in the cell in column "AB" turns
to RED. I have done the same for corresponding columns for female data, ("O", "AC", etc.). Then I have created a comment to
show a warning as to why the cell has turned RED, with instructions for making corrections. Then I have replicated the comment to
each cell down column "AB". My question is this: Since I really don't want the comment to automatically show as the user clicks in a
cell in column "AB"; which may be white, because the figure matches the figure in the cell in column "N", is there a formula I can use
in the 3rd option in Conditional_Formating where the comment will pop up only if the cell in column "AB" turn RED? OR! is there a
macro I could use?
I have searched, extensively, your web site for an answer and have found a lot of other good helpful answers (Thanks! Thanks!
Thanks!), but have not found an answer to this problem. I would appreciate yours and anyone else's help.
Sincerely: Tony
Posted by Ian on March 19, 2001 2:24 PM
Tony,
What if you forgot all about the comments and tried something like this. In the column next to "AB" put something along the lines of
=IF(AB1<>N1,"Error, please make sure numbers match","")
Then copy this down. You could keep the conditional formatting as is. There is probably a clever data validation option to, depending on what exactly your user is entering.
Good luck
