How to Make an Excel Row Flash Between Two Colors with WPS Spreadsheets VBA
Question details
The user wants a worksheet row to automatically alternate between two fill colors when a specific cell contains a value such as "ERROR SEEK ASSISTANCE".
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A workbook contains rows such as A3:D3, and when D3 equals "ERROR SEEK ASSISTANCE", the user wants the row to flash or alternate between two colors until the condition changes.
- Observed behavior
- Conditional formatting can apply one static highlight based on a cell value, but it does not have a timer to alternate colors repeatedly over time.
Open the workbook in WPS Spreadsheets and enable the Developer tab from File > Options > Customize Ribbon. Also confirm that macro security allows VBA projects to run, and save the workbook as an Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (.xlsm) so the macro is retained.
Create a VBA Macro to Flash a WPS Spreadsheet Row Between Two Colors
Use this method when you need the row to automatically alternate colors on a timed loop while the target cell contains a specific value.
Worksheet formulas and conditional formatting do not include a timer, so a short VBA macro is required to check the condition, change the row fill color, wait, and repeat the cycle.
In WPS Spreadsheets, open the workbook and press Alt+F11. You can also click the Developer tab and select Visual Basic Editor.
In the Project Explorer, right-click your workbook project, choose Insert > Module, and then double-click Module1 to open its code window.
Paste the following macro into Module1: Sub FlashRow() Do While Range("D3").Value = "ERROR SEEK ASSISTANCE" Range("A3:D3").Interior.Color = RGB(255, 0, 0) Application.Wait Now + TimeValue("00:00:01") Range("A3:D3").Interior.Color = RGB(255, 255, 0) Application.Wait Now + TimeValue("00:00:01") DoEvents Loop End Sub
Press F5 to run the macro immediately. To reuse it later, close the editor and save the workbook as an Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm).
Apply a Static Single-Color Conditional Formatting Rule as a Simpler Alternative
Use this if you only need the row to be highlighted once when the condition is true; conditional formatting cannot alternate colors over time.
Use WPS Spreadsheets VBA to Make a Row Flash Between Two Colors
WPS Spreadsheets supports VBA, so you can create a timed macro that checks a target cell and alternates the row fill color. It opens and saves Microsoft Excel workbooks, including macro-enabled .xlsm files, for seamless use with existing spreadsheets.
- 1. Download and install WPS Office: Download WPS Office Free from the official WPS site, install it, and open your Excel workbook in WPS Spreadsheets.
- 2. Open the VBA editor: Press Alt+F11 in WPS Spreadsheets, or enable the Developer tab and click Visual Basic Editor.
- 3. Insert and run the macro: Add a new module, paste the flashing-row VBA code, and press F5 to start the alternating fill.
- 4. Save as a macro-enabled workbook: Save the file as an Excel Macro-Enabled Workbook (*.xlsm) so the macro is available the next time you open it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't conditional formatting make my row flash in WPS Spreadsheets?
Conditional formatting has no timer or animation loop. It can only apply a static format when a condition is true, so a continuously alternating row requires a VBA macro that uses Application.Wait or a similar pause.
Does this VBA flashing row method work in WPS Office?
Yes. WPS Spreadsheets includes a VBA editor on Windows. Open your workbook, press Alt+F11, insert a module, paste the macro, and save the file as a macro-enabled .xlsm workbook.
How do I stop the flashing row macro once it is running?
Press Esc or Ctrl+Break to interrupt the VBA macro. Your code can also exit automatically when the target cell no longer contains the trigger value, such as "ERROR SEEK ASSISTANCE".
What formula highlights a row when a cell equals ERROR SEEK ASSISTANCE?
Select the row range and use a conditional formatting formula such as =$D4="ERROR SEEK ASSISTANCE". Choose Home > Conditional Formatting > New Rule > Use a formula to determine which cells to format.
Can I reuse the macro for different rows or different trigger cells?
Yes. In the VBA code, change the range from A3:D3 to the desired row and update the condition cell, for example Range("A10:D10") and Range("D10"). Save the workbook after editing.
