4 SMART Ways to use Custom Formatting instead of Conditional Formatting in Excel - Part 1

Aug 2, 2017 Excel Dashboards & Reports
Custom formatting is really easy to use once you understand the rule behind it. In this video, I show you a simple way of showing variances using symbols - up/down arrows or any symbol of your choice - with Excel's custom formatting. All you need to know is the rule behind custom formatting - i.e. first argument is how positive numbers should be formatted, then how negative numbers should be formatted, followed by how zero values should be shown and last text. Custom formatting can be confusing, but if you remember this simple rule, you're all set. I cover this also in my free PDF eBook which you can get from my website (see link below).

★ My Online Excel Courses ► https://www.xelplus.com/courses/

Timestamps:
00:00 Why Use Excel Custom Formatting over Conditional Formatting
04:02 Basics of Excel Custom Formatting
08:05 Up/Down Arrows for Deviations with Excel Custom Formatting
12:32 Up/Down Arrows and Percentage Deviations with Excel Custom Formatting

★ Get the Official XelPlus MERCH: https://xelplus.creator-spring.com/

⯆ Download the workbook here: http://www.xelplus.com/smart-uses-of-custom-formatting/

For Part 2 watch: https://rumble.com/v2tnemq

We normally use custom formatting to show numbers with thousand separator, as percentage or even to show green for positive and red for negative values. Basically to format the numbers in our reports. But we hardly ever use custom formatting to show deviations with symbols. Or to disguise our numbers to look like symbols instead. The trick is super simple.

Why would you want to use custom instead of conditional formatting?
1. Your files will process faster.
2. It's super easy to setup!

This video belongs to a 2 part series. This is part 1 of 2. In the next video, I will show you how you can add thresholds to your deviations using custom formatting.

VBA code from Excel MVP Charles Williams to time your formulas is included here: http://bit.ly/2q1fpSK

✉ Subscribe & get my TOP 10 Excel formulas e-book for free
https://www.xelplus.com/free-ebook/

EXCEL RESOURCES I Recommend: https://www.xelplus.com/resources/

GEAR I use: https://www.xelplus.com/resources/#gear

More resources on my Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/shop/leilagharani

Let’s connect on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lgharani
Twitter: https://twitter.com/leilagharani
LinkedIn: https://at.linkedin.com/in/leilagharani

Note: This description contains affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, we will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using the links. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

#MsExcel