With conditional formatting in Excel, you’re able to automatically highlight those numbers.

you could choose a column, row, cell range, or non-adjacent cells.

Go to the Home tab and tap the Conditional Formatting drop-down arrow in the Styles section of the ribbon.

Top and Bottom Rules in the Conditional Formatting menu

Move your cursor to Top/Bottom Rules and you’ll see Above Average and Below Average in the pop-out menu.

Pick the one you want to use.

In the pop-up window, you’ll see a few default formats in the drop-down list.

Formatting options for a quick rule

But you may want more detail or different formatting.

By creating a rule from scratch, you’re free to tailor it to fit your needs.

pick the Conditional Formatting drop-down arrow and select “New Rule.”

Conditional formatting for numbers above average

At the top of the pop-up window, choose Format Only Values That Are Above or Below Average.

Select “Format” and then choose how you want to highlight those cells.

you’re able to also use a combination of formats if you like.

New Rule in the Conditional Formatting menu

Click “OK” when you finish.

You canapply more than one ruleto the same set of cells if you wish.

you could use it tohighlight top- or bottom-ranked values, spotcertain dates, or findduplicates in your sheet.

Above or Below Average Conditional Formatting rule

Values to apply to the new rule

Font and Fill formatting

Conditional Formatting rule preview