Conditional formatting – Google sheets – custom formula

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If you want to apply the exact same formatting (like turning them all the same color) using just one rule, you will need to use a short custom formula to create that “OR” logic.

Here is how to set it up:

How to Format Multiple Words with One Rule

  1. Select the column you want to format. (For example, click the letter A at the top to highlight the whole column).
  2. In the top menu, click Format > Conditional formatting.
  3. Under the “Format rules” section, open the dropdown menu, scroll all the way to the bottom, and select Custom formula is.
  4. In the box that appears, type or paste this formula: =OR(A1="CL", A1="DL", A1="ML", A1="SL")Note: This formula assumes you selected Column A. If you selected a different column—like Column C—just change the letters in the formula to match the very first cell of that column (e.g., =OR(C1="CL", C1="DL", C1="ML", C1="SL")).
  5. Under “Formatting style,” pick the background color, bold text, or whatever formatting you want them all to share.
  6. Click Done.