What is conditional formatting in Excel and how do I use it?

Conditional formatting is a powerful feature in Microsoft Excel that allows users to highlight and format cells based on certain predefined criteria. It helps to visually emphasize important data or patterns for easier analysis. To use conditional formatting, select the range of cells you want to format and navigate to the Home tab. Click on the "Conditional Formatting" button and choose from various prebuilt criteria like data bars or color scales, or create custom rules. Specify the conditions and formatting options as per your preference. For instance, you can highlight cells that contain specific text, numbers that fall within a certain range, or values that meet specific formulas. Once set, the formatting will automatically adjust as per changes or updates in the data. Conditional formatting is a useful tool to effectively portray and interpret data within an Excel worksheet.