ALERT: Wonky thread (EDIT: F!ck, I can't attach the working test sheet. Hope you guys can visualize)

Anybody have experience using the IF function in a string? This is my first ever attempt of making Excel something other than a straight up database. I can email an .xls I am working on for my wife (PM email addy please). She is essentially reading Xrays to determine bone-loss osteoporosis.


B2: There are two technicians that will be doing the actual scans. So each Tech will put in their A or B. The C for combined is if Tech A took last year's reading and Tech B did the new reading....then a Combined # for comparasion is used. So any argument that is made will start off with "If B2=A", (or B or C)

(we will use only B column....but all apply)
Tech inputs last year's result (for spine reading) in B9 and this year's result in B10. This produces a positive or negative number in the important B16 slot.

I have a formula that comes up with a calculated number in the B16 box. I want to compare that result with a fixed number in another part of the page (B20 if we are using Tech A). This is where I need Excel help. (I need help in some many other areas of my life, eh dewya?.......)

B16 could produce a positive or negative (or zero) number. You can test by putting in:

Example 1
B9 = .054
B10 = .052 yields -3.70 (Doing a secondary operation, we multiply this by .010 to yield -.037
(Negative shows that the patient has had a bone LOSS over the year)

or
Example 2
B9 = .052
B10 = .054 yields 3.70 (.037)
(Positive shows that patient has increased bone mass over the year.)

yield ABSOLUTE number is used in comparison?
(using above test #s)
If yield answer is positive, a "bad result" is equal or greater than figures in Row 20 for Tech A (.033).
If yield answer is negative, a bad result is equal or less than figures in row 20.
(((This bolded is the answer I am looking for help)))

In Example 1
Result -.037 (absolute .037) is less than (Tech 2's Base Line) .033 as bad results would be:
-.033, .-034, -.035, -.036 etc.

In Example 2
Result .037 is greater than .033 as bad results would be:
.033, .034, .035, .036 etc.

The IDEAL would be to create a function that makes a distinct notation of a bad result. An example of this would be to change the background color of B16 from light green to light red. Another example may be to use B17 and add the words "Over Norm".

A secondary feature (nice but not needed) would be to remove the comparison numbers for Tech B, C if using Tech A.

When completed, the sheet is printed and the Tech closes the program without saving.

If you can't help, do you know someone that can (and is not expensive... this is totally out of my own pocket.)?

Thanks all!

SOLVED; thanks for looking

The formulas were "simple". I was not aware of Conditional Formatting which was helpful here