What is conditional formatting used for in Excel?

Conditional formatting in Excel is a powerful feature used to format cells based on specific conditions or criteria. This functionality allows users to apply visual cues to their data, making it easier to identify trends, patterns, or outliers at a glance. For example, you can set up rules to highlight cells that meet certain conditions, such as showing values above a particular threshold in green and values below it in red. This dynamic styling helps in data analysis by making certain data points stand out, ultimately aiding decision-making.

By using conditional formatting, users can enhance the visibility and understanding of their spreadsheet data without altering the actual content or layout, which is essential for effective data presentation and interpretation.