Highlight a date occuring [Conditional formatting]
Excel has a built-in feature that allows you to highlight dates if a given condition is met. Section 1 below demonstrates how to create a conditional formatting rule highlighting cells based on date values using the built-in tools. The drop-down list in the dialog box lets you pick from a variety of date conditions:
Yesterday | Today | Tomorrow | In the last 7 days | Last week | This week | Next week | Last month | This month | Next month
Section 2 shows how to create conditional formatting formulas highlighting rows or records in a data set also based on a condition evaluating date values. I will also explain how these conditional formatting formulas work in great detail.
Table of Contents
- Highlight a date occurring...
- Highlight a date occurring yesterday
- Highlight a date occurring today
- Highlight a date occurring tomorrow
- Highlight a date occurring in the last 7 days
- Highlight a date occurring last week
- Highlight a date occurring this week
- Highlight a date occurring next week
- Highlight a date occurring last month
- Highlight a date occurring this month
- Highlight a date occurring next month
- Highlight rows/records
- Highlight a row if the date is yesterday
- Highlight a row if the date is today
- Highlight a row if the date is tomorrow
- Highlight a row if the date is in the last 7 days
- Highlight a row if the date is last week
- Highlight a row if the date is in this week
- Highlight a row if the date is in next week
- Highlight a row if the date is in the last month
- Highlight a row if the date is in this month
- Highlight a row if the date is in the next month
- Get Excel file
1. How to apply Conditional Formatting
- Select cell range containing dates.
- Go to tab "Home" on the ribbon if you are not already there.
- Press with left mouse button on "Conditional formatting" button.
- Press with mouse on "Highlight Cells Rules".
- Press with left mouse button on "A Date Occuring..."
- A dialog box appears that lets you specify the date condition and the formatting.
- Pick a prebuilt formatting or use custom format to create a new one.
- Light red Fill with dark red text
- Yellow fill with dark yellow text
- Green Fill with dark green text
- Light red fill
- Red text
- Red border
- Custom format...
- Press with left mouse button on OK button.
2. Highlight rows/records
You need to use a formula instead of the prebuilt ones in order to highlight the entire row if the date meets the condition.
- Go to tab "Home" on the ribbon.
- Press with left mouse button on the "Conditional Formatting" button.
- Press with left mouse button on "New Rule.." to open a dialog box.
- Press with left mouse button on "Use a formula to determine which cells to format".
- Type the formula. (See below which formula to use).
- Press with left mouse button on "Format..." button and choose a formatting.
- Press with left mouse button on OK button twice.
2.1 Highlight a row if the date is yesterday
The following formula highlights all cells on the same row if the date in column D is yesterday:
The $ (dollar sign) makes the cell reference absolute meaning it locks the column thus highlighting all cells on the same row if the date matches the condition.
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The TODAY function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
The TODAY() function is volatile meaning it recalculates more often than regular formulas, this may slow down worksheet calculations.
TODAY()
returns
8/29/2022
Step 2 - Calculate yesterday
The minus sign lets you subtract numbers in an Excel formula.
TODAY()-1
becomes
44802 (8/29/2022)
and returns 44801 (8/28/2022).
Step 3 - Compare yesterday to dates in D3 and cells below
$D3 is both a relative and absolute cell reference, the dollar sign makes D absolute and row number three is a relative cell reference.
This changes the Conditional Formatting formula when a new cell is evaluated, in other words, the row or record is highlighted if the condition is met.
The equal sign lets you compare value to value, the parentheses control the order of operation. We need to calculate yesterday's date before we compare the date numbers.
$D3=(TODAY()-1)
becomes
44802=44801
and returns FALSE. Cell D3 is not highlighted, in fact, no cells on row three are highlighted.
2.2 Highlight a row if the date is today
Conditional formatting formula:
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining formula
Read section 2.1 Highlight a row if the date is yesterday above for an explanation.
2.3 Highlight a row if the date is tomorrow
Conditional formatting formula:
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The today function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
The TODAY() function is volatile meaning it recalculates more often than regular formulas, this may slow down worksheet calculations.
TODAY()
returns
8/29/2022
Step 2 - Calculate yesterday
The plus sign lets you add numbers in an Excel formula.
TODAY()+1
becomes
44802 (8/29/2022)
and returns 44803 (8/30/2022).
Step 3 - Compare yesterday to dates in D3 and cells below
$D3 is both a relative and absolute cell reference, the dollar sign makes D absolute and row number three is a relative cell reference.
This changes the Conditional Formatting formula when a new cell is evaluated, in other words, the row or record is highlighted if the condition is met.
The equal sign lets you compare value to value, the parentheses control the order of operation. We need to calculate yesterday's date before we compare the date numbers.
$D3=(TODAY()-1)
becomes
44802=44803
and returns FALSE. Cell D3 is not highlighted, in fact, no cells on row three are highlighted.
2.4 Highlight a row if the date is in the last 7 days
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The today function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
The TODAY() function is volatile meaning it recalculates more often than regular formulas, this may slow down worksheet calculations.
TODAY()
returns
44802 (8/29/2022).
Step 2 - Calculate seven days back
TODAY()-7
becomes
44802-7
and returns
44795 (8/22/2022).
Step 3 - Check if the date in cell $D3 is equal or larger than seven days back counting from today
The larger than, smaller than, and the equal sign are logical operators, they return TRUE if the condition is met and FALSE if not.
$D3>=(TODAY()-7)
becomes
44802>=44795
and returns TRUE.
Step 4 - Check if the date in $D3 is smaller or equal to today's date
$D3<=TODAY()
becomes
44802>=44802
and returns TRUE.
Step 5 - Apply AND logic, both conditions must be true
The asterisk character lets you multiply numbers and boolean values in an Excel formula, this applies AND logic to boolean values.
TRUE * TRUE = TRUE
TRUE * FALSE = FALSE
FALSE * FALSE = FALSE
This means that both values must be TRUE to return TRUE (AND logic).
The parentheses control the order of operation, we need to compare values before we multiply.
($D3>=(TODAY()-7))*($D3<=TODAY())
becomes
(TRUE)*(TRUE)
and returns 1. Boolean values are converted to their numerical equivalents. TRUE - 1, FALSE - 0 (zero).
2.5 Highlight a row if the date is in the last week
Change the second argument in WEEKNUM function if the week doesn't begin with Sunday.
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The today function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
The TODAY() function is volatile meaning it recalculates more often than regular formulas, this may slow down worksheet calculations.
TODAY()
returns
44802 (8/29/2022).
Step 2 - Calculate the current week's number
The WEEKNUM function calculates a given date's week number based on a return_type parameter that determines which day the week begins.
Function syntax: WEEKNUM(serial_number,[return_type])
WEEKNUM(TODAY(),1)
becomes
WEEKNUM(44802,1)
and returns 36.
Step 3 - Calculate the last week's number
The minus sign lets you subtract numbers in an Excel formula.
WEEKNUM(TODAY(),1)-1
becomes
36-1
and returns 35.
Step 4 - Check if week's number is equal to last week's number
The larger than, smaller than, and the equal sign are logical operators, they return TRUE if the condition is met and FALSE if not.
WEEKNUM($D3,1)=(WEEKNUM(TODAY(),1)-1)
becomes
36=35
and returns FALSE. Row 3 is not highlighted.
2.6 Highlight a row if the date is in this week
Change the second argument in WEEKNUM function if the week doesn't begin with Sunday.
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The today function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
The TODAY() function is volatile meaning it recalculates more often than regular formulas, this may slow down worksheet calculations.
TODAY()
returns
44802 (8/29/2022).
Step 2 - Calculate the current week's number
The WEEKNUM function calculates a given date's week number based on a return_type parameter that determines which day the week begins.
Function syntax: WEEKNUM(serial_number,[return_type])
WEEKNUM(TODAY(),1)
becomes
WEEKNUM(44802,1)
and returns 36.
Step 3 - Check if week's number is equal to last week's number
The larger than, smaller than, and the equal sign are logical operators, they return TRUE if the condition is met and FALSE if not.
WEEKNUM($D3,1)=(WEEKNUM(TODAY(),1))
becomes
36=36
and returns TRUE. Row 3 is not highlighted.
2.7 Highlight a row if the date is in the next week
Change the second argument in WEEKNUM function if the week doesn't begin with Sunday.
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The TODAY function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
The TODAY() function is volatile meaning it recalculates more often than regular formulas, this may slow down worksheet calculations.
TODAY()
returns
44802 (8/29/2022).
Step 2 - Calculate the current week's number
The WEEKNUM function calculates a given date's week number based on a return_type parameter that determines which day the week begins.
Function syntax: WEEKNUM(serial_number,[return_type])
WEEKNUM(TODAY(),1)
becomes
WEEKNUM(44802,1)
and returns 36.
Step 3 - Calculate the last week's number
The plus sign lets you add numbers in an Excel formula.
WEEKNUM(TODAY(),1)+1
becomes
36-1
and returns 35.
Step 4 - Check if week's number is equal to last week's number
The larger than, smaller than, and the equal sign are logical operators, they return TRUE if the condition is met and FALSE if not.
WEEKNUM($D3,1)=(WEEKNUM(TODAY(),1)-1)
becomes
36=35
and returns FALSE. Row 3 is not highlighted.
2.8 Highlight a row if the date is in the last month
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The TODAY function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
TODAY()
returns
44802 (8/29/2022).
Step 2 - Calculate today's year
The YEAR function converts a date to a number representing the year in the date.
Function syntax: YEAR(serial_number)
YEAR(TODAY())
becomes
YEAR(44802)
and returns 2022.
Step 3 - Calculate today's month number
The MONTH function extracts the month as a number from an Excel date.
Function syntax: MONTH(serial_number)
MONTH(TODAY())
becomes
MONTH(44802)
and returns 8.
Step 4 - Subtract month number by 1
To get last month we need to subtract the month number by 1. The minus character lets you subtract numbers in an Excel formula.
MONTH(TODAY())-1
becomes
8-1
and returns 7.
Step 5 - Concatenate strings
The ampersand character lets you merge strings in an Excel formula.
YEAR(TODAY())&"-"&MONTH(TODAY())-1
becomes
2022&"-"&7
and returns 2022-07
Step 6 - Calculate year and month from date
The TEXT function converts a value to text in a specific number format.
Function syntax: TEXT(value, format_text)
TEXT($D3,"YYYY-M")
becomes
TEXT(44802,"YYYY-M")
and returns
2022-8
Step 7 - Compare strings
The equal sign lets you compare values in an Excel formula, the result is a boolean value TRUE or FALSE.
TEXT($D3,"YYYY-M")=(YEAR(TODAY())&"-"&MONTH(TODAY())-1)
becomes
"2022-8"="2022-7"
and returns FALSE. Cell D3 is not highlighted.
2.9 Highlight a row if the date is in this month
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The TODAY function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
TODAY()
returns
44802 (8/29/2022).
Step 2 - Calculate today's year and month
The TEXT function converts a value to text in a specific number format.
Function syntax: TEXT(value, format_text)
TEXT(TODAY(), "YYYY-M")
becomes
TEXT(44802,"YYYY-M")
and returns
2022-8.
Step 3 - Calculate cell D3's year and month
The TEXT function converts a value to text in a specific number format.
Function syntax: TEXT(value, format_text)
TEXT($D3, "YYYY-M")
becomes
TEXT(44802,"YYYY-M")
and returns
2022-8.
Step 4 - Compare year and month
The equal sign lets you compare values in an Excel formula, the result is a boolean value TRUE or FALSE.
TEXT($D3, "YYYY-M")=TEXT(TODAY(), "YYYY-M")
becomes
"2022-8"="2022-8"
and returns TRUE. Cell D3 is highlighted.
2.10 Highlight a row if the date is in the next month
Read section 2 for instructions on how to insert a conditional formatting formula.
Explaining CF formula in cell D3
Step 1 - Calculate today's date
The TODAY function returns the Excel date (serial number) of the current date.
Function syntax: TODAY()
TODAY()
returns
44802 (8/29/2022).
Step 2 - Calculate today's year
The YEAR function converts a date to a number representing the year in the date.
Function syntax: YEAR(serial_number)
YEAR(TODAY())
becomes
YEAR(44802)
and returns 2022.
Step 3 - Calculate today's month number
The MONTH function extracts the month as a number from an Excel date.
Function syntax: MONTH(serial_number)
MONTH(TODAY())
becomes
MONTH(44802)
and returns 8.
Step 4 - Add 1 to the month number
To get next month we need to add 1 to the month number. The plus character lets you add numbers in an Excel formula.
MONTH(TODAY())+1
becomes
8+1
returns 9.
Step 5 - Concatenate strings
The ampersand character lets you merge strings in an Excel formula.
YEAR(TODAY())&"-"&MONTH(TODAY())+1
becomes
2022&"-"&9
and returns
"2022-9".
Step 6 - Calculate year and month from date
The TEXT function converts a value to text in a specific number format.
Function syntax: TEXT(value, format_text)
TEXT($D3,"YYYY-M")
becomes
TEXT(44802,"YYYY-M")
and returns
"2022-8".
Step 7 - Compare strings
TEXT($D3,"YYYY-M")=(YEAR(TODAY())&"-"&MONTH(TODAY())+1)
becomes
"2022-8"="2022-9"
and returns FALSE.
Recommended reading
Built-in conditional formatting
Data Bars Color scales IconsHighlight cells rule
Highlight cells containing stringHighlight a date occuring
Highlight cells equal to
Highlight unique/duplicates
Top bottom rules
Highlight top 10 valuesHighlight top 10 % values
Highlight above average values
Basic CF formulas
Working with Conditional Formatting formulasFind numbers in close proximity to a given number
Highlight empty cells
Highlight text values
Search using CF
Highlight records – multiple criteria [OR logic]Highlight records [AND logic]
Highlight records containing text strings (AND Logic)
Highlight lookup values
Unique distinct
How to highlight unique distinct valuesHighlight unique values and unique distinct values in a cell range
Highlight unique values in a filtered Excel table
Highlight unique distinct records
Duplicates
How to highlight duplicate valuesHighlight duplicates in two columns
Highlight duplicate values in a cell range
Highlight smallest duplicate number
Highlight more than once taken course in any given day
Highlight duplicates with same date, week or month
Highlight duplicate records
Highlight duplicate columns
Highlight duplicates in a filtered Excel Table
Compare
Highlight missing values between to columnsCompare two columns and highlight values in common
Compare two lists of data: Highlight common records
Compare tables: Highlight records not in both tables
How to highlight differences in price lists
Compare two columns and highlight differences
Min max
Highlight smallest duplicate numberHow to highlight MAX and MIN value based on month
Highlight closest number
Dates
Highlight dates in a date rangeHow to highlight MAX and MIN value based on month
Highlight odd/even months
Highlight overlapping date ranges using conditional formatting
Highlight records based on overlapping date ranges and a condition
Highlight date ranges overlapping selected record [VBA]
How to highlight weekends [Conditional Formatting]
How to highlight dates based on day of week
Highlight current date
Misc
Highlight every other rowDynamic formatting
How to change cell formatting using a Drop Down list
Highlight cells based on ranges
Highlight opposite numbers
Highlight cells based on coordinates
Excel categories
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