Excel Conditional Formatting Based on Past or Due Date

Method 1 – Using Excel TODAY Function to Get Past or Due Date

Steps:

  • Insert the following formula in Cell D5
=C5<TODAY()
  • Press ENTER for the output.

Using TODAY Function to Highlight Past or Due Date

  • Use the Fill Handle tool to copy the formula.

Using Fill Handle to Highlight Past or Due Date

For the past or due dates, the result shows TRUE.


Method 2 – Use of Excel Conditional Formatting to Highlight Date Based on Past or Due Date

Steps:

  • Select the date range.
  • Click as follows: Home > Conditional Formatting > Highlight Cells Rules > Less Than.

Using Less Than Command of Conditional Formatting to Highlight Date

  • Insert the following formula in the Format cells that are LESS THAN box:
=TODAY()
  • Choose the highlight color from the second box and press OK.

Insert Formula in Less Than Command of Conditional Formatting to Highlight Date

  • The dates less than today will be highlighted with the selected color.


Method 3 – Using New Rule Command to Highlight Past Due Date in Excel

Steps:

  • Click as follows: Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule.

Using New Rule Command of Conditional Formatting to Highlight Past Due Date

  • Select Use a formula to determine which cells to format from the Select a Rule Type box.
  • Enter the following formula in the Format values where this formula is true box-
=C5<TODAY()
  • Click the Format button. It will open the Format Cells dialog box.

Using Formula in New Rule Command of Conditional Formatting to Highlight Past Due Date

  • From the Fill section, choose a color.
  • Click OK and it will take you back to the previous dialog box.

Choosing Fill Color in New Rule Command of Conditional Formatting to Highlight Past Due Date

  • Press OK.

The cells are now highlighted with the selected color.


Method 4 – Applying ‘A Date Occurring’ Command to Highlight Date Past Due

Steps:

  • Click as follows: Home > Conditional Formatting > Highlight Cells Rules > A Date Occurring.

Using ‘A Date Occurring’ Command to Highlight Date Past Due

  • From the first drop-down box, choose the right option for your dates.
  • Select the highlight color from the second box and press OK.

Selecting Date in ‘A Date Occurring’ Command to Highlight Date Past Due

It highlights the past due dates of the last month.


Method 5 – Highlighting Specific Day Differences for Date with Conditional Formatting in Excel

Find the day difference.

Steps:

  • Insert the following formula in Cell E5
=D5-C5
  • Use the Fill Handle tool for the other cells.

Calculating day difference

  • Select the dates from the Current Date column and f apply a rule.
  • Select Use a formula to determine which cells to format from the Select a Rule Type box.
  • Enter the following formula in the Format values where this formula is true
=(D5-C5)<3
  • Click the Format button. It will open the Format Cells dialog box.

Applying Formula in Conditional Formatting to Highlight Specific Day Difference for Date

  • Choose the fill color from the Fill
  • Press OK.

  • Return to the previous dialog box, press OK.

Here’s the output-

  • Follow the same steps to apply the other two conditions.

Use the following formula for yellow color and biscuit color:

=(D5-C5)<15
=(D5-C5)>15

The final output will like this-


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Md. Sourov Hossain Mithun
Md. Sourov Hossain Mithun

Md. Sourov Hossain Mithun, an Excel and VBA Content Developer at Softeko's ExcelDemy project, joined in October 2021. Holding a Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering degree from BUET, Mithun showcases expertise during his two-year tenure. With over 200 published articles on Excel topics, he earned a promotion to Team Leader, excelling in leading diverse teams. Mithun's passion extends to Advanced Excel, Excel VBA, Data Analysis, and Python programming, contributing significantly to the innovative and dynamic environment of ExcelDemy... Read Full Bio

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