How to conditional format if first value is a letter and not a number

[Michelle0918]

Hello,

I have column M that has a Left String formula in it to pull some 4 digit numbers : =LEFT(I43,4)

I would like to conditional format all of column M so that if it pulls anything that starts with a number value that it is basically a white or no-fill color background, but if it pulls anything that starts with a letter and not a number, it formats as a Red background so that I can check & balance my work.

Thanks!

 

[Jonmo1]

Try

=ISERROR(LEFT(I43,1)+0)


Although logicallly this is saying if the first character is NOT a number..
Not necessarily that the first character IS a letter..
So it would be TRUE if the first character is a symbol like $ or & or # etc...(anything other than 0 through 9)

 

[Michelle0918]

this worked, thank you!

 

[Michelle0918]

can I adjust it so that if the cell is blank then it will not be highlighted in Red?

 

[Jonmo1]

Try

=AND(I43<>"",ISERROR(LEFT(I43,1)+0))

 

[Michelle0918]

hrmm..didn't work..it highlighted my cell Red when even though it started with a number value

 

[Jonmo1]

You better look more closely...

Perhaps the value is actually beginning with a space ?
Or
A previousely created conditional format is still there messing it up.

 

[Michelle0918]

ok fixed!..i had to adjust some minor mistakes in the cell number reference.
Thanks!

 

[Jonmo1]

Glad to help, thanks for the feedback.