conditional format data bars based on different cell

Which version of excel are you using?

-Brandon

Please take a look at the sample attached file to see if this is what you want to do...

jppinto
Conditional-formatting.xls

2007

ippinto,
nope I want to use the data bars in 2007

I think the data bar needs to relate to the value in the cell. You might be able to use a workaround by using an adjacent column to D14, e.g. in E14 use the formula
=X14
and then set up the data bar on E14, choosing the "show bar only" option so that the number doesn't appear in E14
Any good to you?
regards, barry

barryhoudini,

thanks but I don't have the real estate for that.  The description cell is long and would visually accommodate the data bar format.  

You can't use the data bars in any cell other than the one containing the value, as Barry said. If you can't use an additional column next to the description cells, then the only other thing I can think of would be to use the camera tool to take snapshots of linked CF cells on another sheet for example, but that would be a nightmare to maintain.
Can I ask why you need the bars in the description cells?

As data is added to the workbook, we would like a visual indication of how each line item contributes to the overall total.  The line item total is on the far right of the worksheet and normally out of site.

A shame MS can't implement that.