How to highlight the highest value row-wise by comparing two columns in Microsoft Excel?

In this blog, you will learn how to highlight the highest value row-wise.

In the below data set, we need to highlight the highest value row-wise by comparing two columns

1. Select the column range for Data A
2. Go to conditional formatting
3. New Rule

New Formatting Rule window will open

1. Select “Use a formula to determine which cells to format”
2. We will pass a logical test that will determine the value that are TRUE ” =MAX(A2:B2)=A2 “. You can even lock the reference of the column ” =MAX($A2:$B2)=A2 “
3. Click on Format

Format Cells window where will choose our desired color

1. Click on the Fill Tab
2. Choose your color (Prefer to keep it a light color or drag attention choose a bold color with a light font). You can be more creative by changing the font color, and border as well.
3. Once you are ok with it, click OK

Click OK

All the highest values are highlighted row-wise in your data set

Now we need to apply the same rule to column B, for the Data B

1. Select the range for the column B
2. Go to conditional formatting
3. Manage Rules

In case you see no rules than you, simply change the Show formatting rules for “This Worksheet”. This will show all the rules applied in This Worksheet

⚠️ If you have Office 365 version then you may select Manage Rules where we will just duplicate the rule if the same is not available then you can select the new rule and follow the same steps as we did for column A, but the formula referencing will =MAX(A2:B2)=B2

1. Select a rule that needs to be duplicated
2. Click Duplicate Rule

This will make a duplicate copy of the rule, we just need to adjust the reference and the formula

1. Double-click or Edit Rule on the formula and change it to ” =MAX(A2:B2)=B2 “
2. Change the range to ” =$B$2:$B$11 ” by typing it or by selecting the range in the upward arrow ↥
3. Click on Apply to make sure that formula and range are not changed, same is change then update the formula and click OK

We have the results here highest value row-wise highlighted in Microsoft Excel