Hey everyone! I’m having a bit of trouble with Google Sheets. I often use the ‘=’ formula to link cells (like =A2) so they stay in sync. But I’ve noticed that when I do this, the formatting doesn’t carry over. This is a problem when I need things like text color to match.
Does anyone know a trick to keep both the data and the formatting synced between cells? I’ve tried a few things, but nothing seems to work. It would be super helpful if there was a way to do this without having to manually update the formatting every time.
Here’s a quick example of what I mean:
Cell A1: Hello (red text)
Cell B1: =A1 (shows 'Hello' but in default black text)
I want B1 to show ‘Hello’ in red text, just like A1. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your help!
I’ve faced similar issues when trying to sync both data and formatting in Google Sheets. In my experience, while the ‘=’ formula will keep the cell content updated, it won’t carry over the styling. One effective method I’ve used is employing the IMPORTRANGE function combined with conditional formatting. I set up a separate sheet with formatted source data and then apply rules on the target sheet to mimic the original style. Alternatively, using Google Apps Script to copy both content and formatting can also work, though it requires some coding. Both approaches have helped me maintain consistency.
For this particular issue, I’ve found that utilizing Google Sheets’ built-in conditional formatting can be quite effective. You can set up rules in the destination cells that mirror the formatting of the source cells based on their content. This approach allows you to maintain both data synchronization and visual consistency across your spreadsheet.
Another method worth exploring is the use of Google Apps Script. While it requires some basic programming knowledge, you can create a custom function that not only copies the cell content but also applies the same formatting. This solution offers more flexibility and can be especially useful for complex spreadsheets with varied formatting needs.
Remember, these methods may require some initial setup, but they can save significant time in the long run, especially for frequently updated spreadsheets.
have u tried using the ‘Paste special’ option? it might help. right-click the cell with formatting, copy it, then right-click where u want to paste and choose ‘Paste special’ > ‘Paste format only’. then use the ‘=’ formula. it’s not perfect but could work for ya.