Excel: Using Color Accessibly

Overview

Color should be used thoughtfully to ensure information is accessible to users with color vision deficiencies.

Considerations

• Do not use color alone to convey meaning.

• Maintain contrast ratios of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

• Use dark text on light backgrounds.

• Default red/green formatting often fails accessibility standards.

• Use text labels, symbols, or keys.

• Colored cells are not equivalent to tables.

• Use the WebAIM Contrast Checker when needed.

Steps

1. Select cells with conditional formatting.

2. Go to Home > Conditional Formatting > Highlight Cell Rules.

3. Select a condition you want to apply and set up the values or range. 

4. Adjust font and number formatting to improve accessibility.