Want to see the coolest Excel trick I've learned this year?

Check this out...

Open a new spreadsheet.

Highlight the entire sheet (top-left corner).

Then go to:

▪️ Home >

▪️ Conditional Formatting >

▪️ Highlight Cells Rules >

▪️ More Rules >

▪️ Use a formula to determine which cells to format >

▪️ Then, copy this formula into the field ↓:

=𝐚𝐧𝐝(𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤(𝐀𝟏)=𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐄,𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚(𝐀𝟏)=𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐄,𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭(𝐀𝟏)=𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐄)

▪️ Then, hit the Format button

▪️ Format it so the font turns blue (or whatever color you'd like)

▪️ Click OK and go back to your spreadsheet.


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Okay now...

Type in a number, say 1,000.

Did it turn blue automatically?

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Now, type your name.

Did the font stay black?

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Now, create a formula.

Did the font stay black also?

If so, congrats!

Now all the hardcodes in your sheet will turn blue AUTOMATICALLY.

No need to remember.

This is a HUGE help for financial modelers.

It helps us keep our files clean.

𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

Pretty cool, huh?

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I wish I was this clever, but I'm not.

This trick comes from Bleecker & Jones.

Their advisory and modeling skills are next level.

(Thanks Brian for sharing your conditional formatting wizardry!)

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Now, here's a challenge...

Can you build a conditional formula to make all links to other tabs green?

If you can figure it out, please let me know!

—Chris

If and when the time is right, I offer refreshingly straightforward Financial Modeling Courses for FP&A and Private Equity Professionals that have been recognized all over the world.  Check them out if you're interested (if not, that's cool too 👍).  Just click here.