Highlight cell by selection of drop list

Use conditional formatting.

How many options could you have in validation list?

It might mean having a lot of different rules. It depends upon your data and what exactly you want to have highlighted. Can you post a workbook with representative data so that we can have a go at it?

Then you can use CF.

Somrthing like this.

Let's say that your validation list is in A1 and includes the numbers from 1 to 15.

You can use in CF rules something like this.

Formula:

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And choose a color.

Then when A1=1 or 5 or 12, the range that you have choosen will fill with color.

How can you use Conditional Formating.

--In Excel 2007 and 2010, Conditional Formatting is in the Styles group on the Home tab. In Excel 2003, Conditional Formatting is on the Format menu. See here how you can work using CF.

So now my boss changed the spreadsheet for the day care. Now cell A1 has a drop list "BOY, GIRL" and cell B2 has the ages "0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,". Selecting the gender in A1 and then the age in in B2 will then highlight a certain cell in the same row. How can I do this. Is it still possible with a conditional formatting formula?

Select the cell that you want formatted.

Conditional Formatting, New Rule, Use Formula.

=AND(A1="BOY",B2=the age) choose the formatting you want.