In Excel, when you have multiple conditional formatting rules applied to the same cells, the order of those rules determines which formatting takes precedence. Here's how to manage the priority:

1. Accessing Rule Management:

- Select the cells containing the formatting rules you want to manage.
- Go to the "Home" tab.
- In the "Styles" group, click the Conditional Formatting dropdown arrow.
- Select "Manage Rules" from the options.

2. Prioritizing Rules:

The "Conditional Formatting Rules Manager" window will appear, displaying all the rules applied to the selected cells.

- List Order: The rules are listed in the order they are applied. The rule at the top of the list has the highest priority and will be applied first.
- Move Up/Down Arrows: Use the up and down arrows next to each rule to change its position in the list. Move the rule with higher priority to the top.

3. Stopping Rule Evaluation (Optional):

- "Stop If True" Checkbox: Each rule has a "Stop If True" checkbox.
- Checking this box for a specific rule will halt the evaluation of any subsequent rules only if the current rule's condition is met. This ensures higher priority rules take effect and formatting isn't overwritten by lower ones.

4. Applying Changes:

- Once you've adjusted the order and checked the "Stop If True" boxes as needed, click "OK" to apply the changes.

Tips:

- Start with the most specific rule at the top and work your way down to more general rules.
- Use "Stop If True" strategically to avoid formatting conflicts.
- Consider using clear and descriptive rule names for easier management in the future.

By effectively managing the order of your conditional formatting rules, you can ensure your spreadsheet displays the formatting that best highlights your data and conveys the intended meaning.