In this tutorial, you will learn how to add conditional formatting based on another cell date in Google Sheets
Conditional Formatting Based On Another Cell Date in Google Sheets
Conditional formatting is a powerful tool in Google Sheets that can help you visualize your data in a more meaningful way.
One way to use conditional formatting is to format cells based on the date in another cell. For example, you may want to highlight cells that are due in the next week, or cells that are overdue.
In this guide, we will show you how to use conditional formatting to format cells based on the date in another cell in Google Sheets.
Apply Date-Related Conditional Formatting in Google Sheets
Here’s how to apply date-related conditional formatting in Google Sheets
Step 1
Select the cell range you want to add conditional formatting to.

In this example, we want to highlight tasks where the due date is on or before the current date.
Step 2
Select the Conditional formatting option under the Format drop-down menu.

Step 3
In the Conditional format rules panel, select the Custom formula is option from the provided dropdown menu.

This option will allow us to create the criteria needed to highlight cells if a certain cell is not empty.
Step 4
Next, we’ll need to type the custom formula we’ll use as a criteria for our conditional formatting. In this example, we’ll use the formula ‘=$C2<=TODAY()”’ to highlight rows that are due today or are overdue.

Next, you may edit the formatting style used to highlight cells. Click on Done to proceed.
Step 5
Your target range should now have conditional formatting that uses another cell’s date as criteria.

Summary
This guide should be everything you need to add conditional formatting based on another cell date in Google Sheets.
You may make a copy of this example spreadsheet to test it out on your own.
More ways to do conditional formatting Google Sheets:
- Remove Conditional Formatting
- How To Do Conditional Formatting
- Copy Conditional Formatting
- Conditional Formatting Based On Another Cell
- Conditional Formatting for Duplicates
- Conditional Formatting with a Checkbox
- Conditional Formatting with Multiple Conditions
- Conditional Formatting Based On Another Sheet
- Apply Conditional Formatting Across An Entire Row
- Conditional Formatting to Compare Two Columns
- Conditional Data Validation
- Color Scale Based On Another Cell
- Relative Reference
- Conditional Formulas
- Conditional Formatting Based On Another Cell Not Empty
- If Cell Contains Text in
- Highlight Cells
- Highlight Duplicate Cells
- Make Negative Numbers Red