AutoColor
Colour code an Excel model in one click
The convention is simple: blue for hardcoded inputs, black for formulas, green for links to other sheets. Applying it by hand across a 20-tab model is not. AutoColor reads every selected cell and colours its font by what the cell actually contains.
The colour convention AutoColor applies
- Blue: hardcoded inputs.
- Black: formulas.
- Plugs: formulas with a hardcoded number inside them, like =B4*1.05. Treated as inputs (blue) by default, with their own colour if you want them to stand out.
- Green: formulas that reference another worksheet.
- Purple: formulas that link to another workbook.
Why it matters
A reviewer should be able to tell at a glance what is an assumption and what is calculated. Plugs are the trap: =B4*1.05 looks calculated but hides an input nobody will find in the assumptions tab. AutoColor detects them separately from clean formulas, so they never pass as black.
How to use it
- Select a range, a sheet or several sheets.
- Click AutoColor on the Plzfix tab.
- Give plugs their own colour in Settings (red works well) and review every one before the model goes out.
Questions
Can I change the colours?
Yes. Each of the five categories has its own colour in Plzfix Settings, so you can match your firm's convention.
Is there a way to do this without an add-in?
You can use Go To Special to select constants or formulas and colour them manually, but it does not separate cross-sheet links, external links or formulas with hardcoded plugs, and you have to repeat it on every sheet.
Which versions of Office are supported?
Desktop Excel, PowerPoint and Word on Windows: Office 2016, 2019, 2021 and Microsoft 365. Office for Mac and Office on the web are not supported.
How much does Plzfix cost?
There is a free tier with a daily click allowance and every tool unlocked. Pro is €10 per month, €50 for 6 months or €90 per year, per user, with unlimited use.