Well, when you enter a value (other than TRUE), the value is no longer
$C$3=Q1 (i.e., TRUE, presumably, since the format was applied), so the
conditional format goes away.

If you want to make the CF dependent only on C3 and Q1, use the
dropdowns and input box to read

Formula is =$C$3=Q1


e.g., "Formula is" rather than "Cell Value is"


In article ,
marty wrote:

I have set the following conditional format: Cell Value is equal to =$C$3=Q1
in cell C2 and have the cell change color. The conditional format works if C2
is blank but whenever a value is present the color reverts back to the
default. Any suggestions?