How to change cell background color as part of the If statement?

[Jim H]

I have a spread sheet that I have set up to use for my home budget. In doing
this I would much like to visually see when a budgeted item has exceeded the
allowable cost by having the background color of that cell to change to the
color red if the cost exceeds the set amount.

 

[Gary''s Student]

Say the allowable cost is in A1 and the actual cost is in B1.

Click on B1 and:

Format > Conditional Formatting... > Formula Is >

=B1>A1

then pick the red background (but not too dark)

 

[L. Howard Kittle]

Try Format > Conditional formatting > Cell value is > Greater than > =C1 >
Format > Patterns -select red > OK your way out.

Assumes you are formatting G1 and C1 is the allowable cost. When G1 exceeds
C1 you get a RED G1.

HTH
Regards,
Howard