I have a spreadhseet where I want to compare the values in two columns and highlight the cells in column A that are not the same as column B.

I can do it easily for a single cell : Cell value <> $B$2 applies to $A$2

If I try to copy that format for the rest of column A it still compares all the cells to $B$2 and everything goes red.

Can I get one rule applied to column A that will only highlight the cells that are different to the cell next to them in column B?

(I’m not very clever)

wouldn’t $B2 and $A2 work ?

Pretty much as mentioned above. In manage rules you need a rule that contains;

Cell Value <> $B2
Applies to =$A2:$A2000

thanks!