Hi,
Here is what you need:
Create a range in the spreadsheet that contains all the letter grades in
order:
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F+
F
F-
You may not need A+ and F-. Suppose this is in the range L1:L15.
Assume your grades start in B2 and extend to the right say to J2.
Highlight the range C2:J2 (skipping B2) and choose Format, Conditional
Formatting, Formula is (from the first drop down). Enter the formula:
=MATCH(C2,$L$1:$L$15,0)<MATCH(B2,$L$1:$L$15,0)
set a color and click Add. Choose Formula is and enter the second formula:
=MATCH(C2,$L$1:$L$15,0)>MATCH(B2,$L$1:$L$15,0)
set a color.
You can make the formulas shorter by defining a range name, call it F for
the range L1:L15, then your formulas become:
=MATCH(C2,F,0)<MATCH(B2,F,0)
and
=MATCH(C2,F,0)>MATCH(B2,F,0)
If you want to keep the range L1:L15 reference on a different sheet than the
conditionally formatted cell you will need to use the range name approach
mentioned above. (When L1:L15 is selected click in the Name Box and type
the name you want to use.)
If you don't want a range in the spreadsheet to be used at all than choose
the Insert, Name, Define command and enter a name in the first box then in
the Refers to box enter:
={"A+";"A";"A-";"B+";"B";"B-";"C+";"C";"C-";"D+";"D";"D-";"F+";"F";"F-"}
Cheers,
Shane Devenshire
Microsoft Excel MVP
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