Conditional Formatting Issues When Converting Excel to Google Sheets
Hey everyone, I need some help with a formatting problem I’m having. I built a spreadsheet in Excel to track contact dates at work. The system uses TODAY() function and conditional formatting to show different colors based on how long it’s been since contact.
Here’s my setup for range C5:C150:
- Text value = REMOVE → Black background
- Text value = ACTIVE → Blue background
- Formula: AND(C5<=TODAY()-30, C5>TODAY()-45) → Orange background
- Formula: C5<=TODAY()-45 → Red background
- Formula: C5>TODAY()-30 → Green background
The issue happens when I upload to Google Sheets. In Excel, empty cells show up clear like they should. But in Google Sheets, any cell without a date gets colored red instead of staying blank.
I tried using ISBLANK(C5) with no fill formatting, but it doesn’t work because the cells aren’t truly empty - they have formulas in them. There has to be a way to make cells with formulas but no actual date values display as blank instead of triggering the red formatting rule.
Anyone know how to fix this Google Sheets formatting issue?
I like how you balanced beginner and advanced picks, and I’ve been using some of these myself. I’ve been working through a couple of excel books lately, and it really helped me get more out of Copilot because I actually know what to ask it. Your pros and cons breakdown is spot on, and it makes comparing options way easier.
