Color scales in Excel - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

Sample Data

This column shows test scores of students. We want to apply color scales to visually show low to high scores.

Cell	Value
A1	Score
A2	45
A3	70
A4	85
A5	30
A6	95
A7	60

Formula Trace

Color scale applied to A2:A7 (no formula, conditional formatting rule)

Step 1: Identify minimum value in A2:A7

Step 2: Identify maximum value in A2:A7

Step 3: Assign colors: minimum = red, midpoint = yellow, maximum = green

Step 4: Apply color to each cell based on its value relative to min and max

Cell Reference Map

   A   
1 Score 
2  45  
3  70  
4  85  
5  30  
6  95  
7  60  

Color scale applies to A2:A7

The color scale references all cells from A2 to A7 to determine min and max values for coloring.

Result

   A       
1 Score    
2  45 (orange)
3  70 (yellow-green)
4  85 (light green)
5  30 (red)  
6  95 (green)
7  60 (yellow-green)

Colors show low to high scores visually.

The cells from A2 to A7 are colored from red (lowest) to green (highest) with smooth gradient colors in between.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

What color will the lowest value in the range A2:A7 have with this color scale?

A Yellow

B Red

C Green

D Blue

Key Result

Color scales create a gradient color effect based on minimum, midpoint, and maximum values in a range.