Drop-down list color

1. In a separate location or sheet, type the names of colors in a column. For example, in cells A2-A4 type Yellow, Blue, Red. This is the content that your drop-down will show. 

2. Choose a cell where you want the drop-down and go to Data and select  Data Validation. Do the following:

   • On the settings tab under Allow, choose List.

   • Under Source, put the range of your color list using absolute ($) locations. For example, =$A$2:$A$4. You can also use a named range. For more info, see Create a drop-down list.

3. Select the cells where you are using the drop-down. If you put the drop-down list in cell C4, then select C4-C6. This isn't the color list, but the drop-down.

   • On the Home tab, select   Conditional formatting and choose  Highlight Cell Rules.

4. Select  Text that contains.

5. Under Format cells that contain the text: type the cell for the first color in the color list (=$A$2), such as Red, and in the with field, select a color, like Light Red Fill with Dark Red Text. 

6. If you don't see the color you want, such as Purple, select Custom Format. In Format Cells, go to Fill and choose a color.  To change the text color, select the Font tab and choose a color under Color. Select OK. 

7. Continue with more rules for each of the other colors, =$A$3 with Blue and so forth. Keep the whole source list selected as you set the rules. 

When you're done, select the drop-down and choose a color. The name shows up in the top of the drop-down box and turns the color you specified. 

If it doesn't, check to make sure the right cells are specified with the right colors. Also make sure cells are written with the equals sign and as absolute addresses such as =$A$2. 

For more info on conditional formatting, see Use conditional formatting to highlight information.

1. In a separate location or sheet, type the names of colors in a column. For example, in cells A2-A4 type Yellow, Blue, Red. This is the content that your drop-down will show. 

2. Choose a cell where you want the drop-down and go to Data and select  Data Validation. Do the following:

   • On the settings tab under Allow, choose List.

   • Under Source, put the range of your color list using absolute ($) locations. For example, =$A$2:$A$4. You can also use a named range. For more info, see Create a drop-down list.

3. Select the cells where you are using the drop-down. This isn't the source color list, but the drop-down. If you put the drop-down list in cell C4, then select C4-C6.

   • Go to Home and select   Conditional formattingand choose  Highlight Cell Rules.

4. Select   Text that contains.

5. Make sure Format cells that only contain is selected in the drop-down. In Specific Text, type the cell for the first color in the color list (=$A$2), such as Red, and in the Format with field, select a color, like Light Red Fill with Dark Red Text. 

6. If you don't see the color you want, such as Purple, select Custom Format in the Format with drop-down. In Format Cells:

   • Go to Fill and choose a color.

   • For text color, go to Font and choose a color under Color.

   • Select OK. 

7. Continue with more rules for each of the other colors, =$A$3 with Blue and so forth. Keep the whole source list selected as you set the rules. 

When you're done, select the drop-down and choose a color. The name shows up in the top of the drop-down box and turns the color you specified. 

If it doesn't, check to make sure the right cells are specified with the right colors. Also make sure cells are written with the equals sign and as absolute addresses such as =$A$2. 

For more info on conditional formatting, see Highlight patterns and trends with conditional formatting in Excel for Mac.

1. In a separate location or sheet, type the names of colors in a column. For example, in cells A2-A4 type Yellow, Blue, Red. This is the content that your drop-down will show. 

2. Choose a cell where you want the drop-down and go to Data and select  Data Validation. Do the following:

   • On the settings tab under Allow, choose List.

   • Under Source, put the range of your color list using absolute ($) locations. For example, =$A$2:$A$4. You can also use a named range. For more info, see Create a drop-down list.

3. Select the cells where you are using the drop-down. This isn't the source color list, but the drop-down. If you put the drop-down list in cell C4, then select C4-C6.

   • Go to Home and select   Conditional formatting and choose  Highlight Cell Rules.

4. Select  Text that contains. In the Conditional Formatting pane, double-check that Apply to range is correct. 

5. Under Rule type:

   • Select Highlight cells with

   • Select or verify that Specific Text, and Containing drop-down selections are showing.

   • Under Containing, type the text in the cell for the first color in the color list (=$A$2), such as Red,.
     In the Format with field, select a color, like Light Red Fill with Dark Red Text. 

6. If you don't see the color you want, such as Purple, select the Fill color and Text color below the Format with field. The Format with field will change to Custom Format.

   

7. Select Done. 

8. Continue with more rules for each of the other colors, =$A$3 with Blue and so forth. Keep the whole source list selected as you set the rules. 

When you're done, select the drop-down and choose a color. The name shows up in the top of the drop-down box and turns the color you specified. 

If it doesn't, check to make sure the right cells are specified with the right colors. Also make sure cells are written with the equals sign and as absolute addresses such as =$A$2. 

For more info on conditional formatting, see Use conditional formatting to highlight information.