Change text color when data is entered

[mrclemente]

I'm trying to make it easier to keep track of data that I've entered in my end-of-month budgeting spreadsheet.
Column A is the date, Column B is a description, Column C is a dollar amount. Columns D through R are budget categories. When I copy the dollar amount from Column C into the appropriate column D through R (using the formula "=C(row#)", I'd like the text in Column B to turn light grey so I know I've entered that information.
Is there a relatively simple way to do this?

 

[buxtongt]

Welcome to MrExcel.

Sounds like conditional formatting will do what you need.

http://www.contextures.com/xlcondFormat01.html


That link should be helpful.

 

[mrclemente]

This is exactly what I need to learn, but I must be missing something as it didn't work!
I highlighted cell B3, the cell I want to format, and picked "Conditional Formatting;"
Pick "Highlight Cell Rules";
Pick "More Rules";
Pick "Use a formula to determine which cells to format";
Pick "Format values where this formula is true;"
Enter formula "=(E3:W3)>0" and selected the formatting (font is light grey) from the drop-down box.
Nothing.
I also used the formula "=sum(E3:W3)>0"
Nothing.
It must be something obvious but I don't know what it is!

 

[buxtongt]

In excel 2010:

select the cell>conditional formatting>manage rules>new rule>"use formula to determine..."> put =sum(e3:w3)>0> format the cell as you want it>hit apply>hit ok

Let me know if you still have issues.

 

[mrclemente]

WOO-HOO!!!!
Thanks for your help!

 

[buxtongt]

No problem. Glad you got it working.