Coloring One Record in Each Group in a Range

In this article, we will learn How to Coloring One Record in Each Group in a Range in Excel.

Scenario:

Sometimes given a list of values we need to highlight only first output or unique values. For example if we need to highlight the entries where a customer once transacted in a store. If an entry is repeated, then it shouldn't be highlighted. Excel provides us with a conditional formatting tool and some formula logic. Using Conditional formatting over cells and then adding values on it. So we need a formula for the data which highlights cells only matching one record matching values.

How to solve the problem?

For this we will be using the Conditional formatting obviously and COUNTIF function. This formula is derived using Expanding References. Where we first input formula to the first cell and then copy and paste the formatting (with formula) on to the required range. This formula only highlights the first record or the unique records.

Generic formula:

=COUNTIF($D$3:D3,D3)=1

cell : first cell of the range (we don't need to specify the last cell, expanding references will take care of it)

=1 : equals to operator to match criteria (first record)

Example :

All of these might be confusing to understand. Let's understand this formula by running it on an example. Here we have data with entries of the staff in an office. There are multiple entries of some staff members. We need to highlight the first entry. Follow the steps:

  1. Select a blank cell and open conditional formatting option. (here blank cell is the D3 cell)
  2. Go to Home -> Conditional formatting -> New Rule
  3. A dialog box appears in front select Use a formula to determine which cells to format -> input the below formula under the Format values where this formula is True:

Use the formula for matching value less than 50000.

=COUNTIF($D$3:D3,D3)=1

Explanation:

  1. Countif function returns the count of the value in the D3 cell. In the range (D3:D3 tha means only cell).
  2. =1 matches if the count of the values in the range matches.
  3. The tool accepts only True or False values. It will color or highlight the cells where formula returns True or leave the cell as it is where formula returns False.

Select the format as you require, it offers many different types of formatting. We selected to color fill the record or cell as shown above. Click OK

Now copy the cell and paste till the range either using Ctrl + C (to copy) and Ctrl + V (to paste) or select the cell and drag it to right or bottom as you require to apply.

Copy the unformatted cell values and paste only the values using (Ctrl + Alt + V) or using paste special (opens using the right mouse button.

Click Ok and you can see, Conditional formatting does all the highlighting for you.

Here are all the observational notes regarding using the formula.

Notes:

  1. Conditional formatting allows you to apply the formatting basis on the cell values such as colours, icons and data bars.
  2. The formula works for text and numbers both.
  3. Check the formula in a sample cell first. As it's easy to use a formula in a cell rather than hard coding in conditional formatting formula box.
  4. Select the info_type argument from the drop down list, you will see while using the formula.

Hope you understood How to highlight or Color One Record in Each Group in a Range in Excel. Explore more articles on Excel highlighting cells with formulas here. If you liked our blogs, share it with your friends on Facebook. And also you can follow us on Twitter and Facebook. We would love to hear from you, do let us know how we can improve, complement or innovate our work and make it better for you. Write to us at info@exceltip.com.

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Comments

  1. "Was trying to find a way to colour cells automatically; never even knew that this function existed- was lucky to have found this site on the web.

    Just what I needed "

  2. Lets say I have a set of numbers in cel A1 and I have a description in cell G1. If I type the words test in G1, I want A1 to become a color. How would I do this?

  3. "Probably the reason is that things are not as 'obvious' as they may appear.

    I suggest you take your nested IFs and pull them out into separate cells (take them to a calculation sheet if necessary).

    It is generally bad form to nest IF statements to deep anyway, since they become very difficult to 'read' and de-bug (as you have discovered).

    Once you have done that, you will find that one specific logical test is not behaving as you expect. If you still can't work it out, post that specific test / data back here, and hopefully we can help. "

  4. can anyone help me in this. I have a range of cells with numbers. I use count function to count the range. But I want a cell to be counted or added to count function ONLY when I FILL COLOR to a particular cell. is this possible?

  5. I want a function through which I can set or change the format of a cell entry. Although I can do it through "conditional formatting" option, but it permits only three conditions. I want more options.

  6. If you have more than one column of data, then in Step 2, first press CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW to select all the columns of data, and then press CTRL+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW to select all the rows of data. Then continue with the remaining steps.

  7. "Was trying to find a way to colour cells automatically; never even knew that this function existed- was lucky to have found this site on the web.

    Just what I needed "

  8. "Just use the conditional formatting feature (select the 'FORMULA IS' option).

    The help facility explains it in detail quite neatly. "

  9. "Lets say I have a set of numbers in cel A1 and I have a description in cell G1. If I type the words test in G1, I want A1 to become a color. How would I do this?
    "

  10. "Probably the reason is that things are not as 'obvious' as they may appear.

    I suggest you take your nested IFs and pull them out into separate cells (take them to a calculation sheet if necessary).

    It is generally bad form to nest IF statements to deep anyway, since they become very difficult to 'read' and de-bug (as you have discovered).

    Once you have done that, you will find that one specific logical test is not behaving as you expect. If you still can't work it out, post that specific test / data back here, and hopefully we can help. "

  11. "I am using a nested (if(and( formula that is giving me a value of ""false"". However, the conditions are clearly met by the last if/and statement and not met by any of the previous if/and statements of which there are five in total. What could be the source of this problem?

    Thank you very much for your help. "

  12. "Try this:

    {=INDEX(Range,MATCH(TRUE,(Range)>0,0))}

    This assumes, at least implicitly, that 'Range' is one-dimensional.

    This is an array formula, so enter it without the curly brackets, using Shift-Ctrl-Enter. "

  13. """If I want that the entire row to be colored whenever a cell has a certain value, say if cell has the value ""A"", then the entire row should be colored red, and so on. How can I achieve this task.""

    I am also searching for this answer. Any help for this novice would be appreciated..."

  14. can anyone help me in this. I have a range of cells with numbers. I use count function to count the range. But I want a cell to be counted or added to count function ONLY when I FILL COLOR to a particular cell. is this possible?

  15. If I want that the entire row to be colored whenever a cell has a certain value, say if cell has the value "A", then the entire row should be colored red, and so on. How can I achieve this task.

  16. I want a function through which I can set or change the format of a cell entry. Although I can do it through "conditional formatting" option, but it permits only three conditions. I want more options.

  17. If you have more than one column of data, then in Step 2, first press CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW to select all the columns of data, and then press CTRL+SHIFT+DOWN ARROW to select all the rows of data. Then continue with the remaining steps.

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