Problem solved - here is the solution:

cond. 1:

formula is =IF(ISBLANK(H9),"",IF(H9<-5%,H9,""))

cond. 2:

formula is =IF(ISBLANK(H9),"",AND(H9=-5%,H9<=0%))

cond 3:

formula is: =IF(ISBLANK(H9),"",IF(H90%,H9,""))

this ignores all cells with text values and all blank cells.



"ryguy7272" wrote:

I think you should see this:
http://www.contextures.com/xlCondFormat03.html

=ISNA(A1)


Regards,
Ryan---
--
RyGuy


"PBcorn" wrote:

I wish to apply conditional formatting with three conditions based on the
cell value, resulting in three different shading colors. The cells have
formulae with if statements that return "n/a" if one of the referenced cells
contain "n/a" or are blank.

this results in the conditional formatting applying the color for the
condition 0 when the cell value is "n/a" - i want it to leave these alone
(i.e. no color)

please help