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How to highlight precedent or dependent cells in Excel?

Author Kelly Last modified

When creating formulas in Excel, it’s common to refer cells within formulas. But do you know how to quickly find out and highlight the precedent or dependent cells of formulas? This article will show you an easy way!

Highlight precedent or dependent cells in Excel

Highlight precedent or dependent cells in Excel

To highlight all precedent or dependent cells in the specified range, please do as follows:

1. Select the specified range you will highlight all precedent or dependent cells, and press F5 key to open the Go To dialog box.

2. In the Go To dialog box, please click the Special button. See screenshot:

a screenshot showing how to open the Go To Special dialog box

3. In the Go To Special dialog box, please check the Precedents option, and click the OK button. See screenshot:

a screenshot of selecting the Precedents option in the Go To Special dialog box

4. Now all precedent cells are selected. Please go ahead to click Home > Fill Color, and then select a fill color from the drop-down list. See screenshot:

a screenshot of selecting a fill color

Now all precedent cells in the selection are highlighted manually. See screenshot:

a screenshot showing all selected precedent cells are highlighted with the specified fill color

Note: If you need to highlight all dependent cells, please check the Dependents option and click the OK button in the Go To Special dialog box. See screenshot:

a screenshot of selecting the Direct only option under the Dependents option
Go ahead to choose a fill color, and you will see all dependent cells are highlighted in the selection. See screenshot:

a screenshot showing all dependent cells highlighted with the specified fill color

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