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How to Apply Conditional Formatting in Looker Studio

Writer's picture: Sotirios SeridisSotirios Seridis

Want to make your data pop in Looker Studio? Conditional formatting is your go-to tool! Conditional formatting lets you highlight important trends and changes by automatically applying colors, icons, or styles to your metrics based on certain conditions. Whether you’re tracking performance, flagging issues, or just making your reports more engaging, conditional formatting helps key insights jump off the page. In this quick guide, we’ll show you how to apply conditional formatting in Looker Studio to make your data more dynamic and visually appealing!









How to Apply Conditional Formatting in Looker Studio:


  1. Select the Scorecard or Table you would like to format

  2. Navigate to the "STYLE" column from the right-hand-side

  3. Under "Conditional Formatting", click on the "Add" button

  4. Create a Rule and save!





Frequently Asked Questions on Applying Conditional Formatting in Looker Studio


What can I change with conditional formatting?


You can customize:

  • Text colors

  • Background colors

  • Icons and symbols

  • Text styles (bold, italic)


The changes appear when your data meets specific conditions.



How many formatting rules can I add to one element?


You can add as many rules as you need. Remember:

  • Rules apply in order from top to bottom

  • Later rules can override earlier ones

  • You can drag rules to change their order



Can I use formulas in my formatting rules?


Yes! you can use regular expressions:

  • Select "REGEX" under the Select a condotion option

  • Write your custom formula

  • Test it with different values to ensure it works as expected



How do color scales work in conditional formatting?


Color scales automatically create a gradient based on your data:

  • Choose your minimum and maximum colors

  • Looker Studio creates smooth transitions between them

  • Perfect for showing data ranges like sales performance or temperatures



Can I format calculated fields?


Yes! Calculated fields work just like regular fields:

  • Apply any conditional formatting you want

  • Rules update automatically when calculations change

  • Great for highlighting important results



How do I manage existing formatting rules?


Find all your rules in the Style tab under "Conditional formatting":

  • Click the pencil to edit

  • Click the trash can to delete

  • Drag to reorder rules



What happens when data doesn't meet any conditions?


The element keeps its default formatting when no conditions are met. You can:

  • Set a default style in the regular formatting options

  • Create a catch-all condition that applies to everything else

  • Leave it as-is for a clean look




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