Custom Formula Alternative Color Based on Uniques

Question

Column B is name. How to alternate color based on unique names meaning same name rows get grey background color (entire row) next unique name rows is white and so on

23:06 21/07/20  Rocio seijas    40
23:14 21/07/20  Paola Valeria Gómez     36
23:14 21/07/20  Paola Valeria Gómez     36
23:14 21/07/20  Paola Valeria Gómez     36
23:14 21/07/20  Mariquena Fuentes   39
23:15 21/07/20  Irupé Ramirez Mendez    38
23:15 21/07/20  Cecilia Ferreyro    36
23:16 21/07/20  Teresa Mabel Ceccarelli 40
23:16 21/07/20  Teresa Mabel Ceccarelli 40
23:17 21/07/20  Liliana ramon   36
23:17 21/07/20  Carlos Argentino Riera  40
23:17 21/07/20  María Belén Llapur  37
23:18 21/07/20  Maria Laura Villalba    39
23:18 21/07/20  Maria Laura Villalba    39
23:20 21/07/20  Verónica Ogas.  39
23:20 21/07/20  Verónica Ogas.  39
23:23 21/07/20  ZAFFI DANIELA   35
23:23 21/07/20  ZAFFI DANIELA   35
23:23 21/07/20  ZAFFI DANIELA   35
23:24 21/07/20  Melisa Ferrer   36
23:24 21/07/20  Melisa Ferrer   36
23:25 21/07/20  Claudia González    39
23:25 21/07/20  Claudia González    39
23:25 21/07/20  Claudia González    39
23:26 21/07/20  Eliana Noel Vazquez 39

Answer 1

If you don't mind using a helper column, here is one way:

• Column B has the names (unique values that determine row colour)

• Column D is the helper column.

• D1 value: TRUE

• D2 formula: =if(B2=B1,D1,not(D1)) (and then this formula all the way down)

Apply conditional formatting:

• to range: A1:D1000
• custom formula is: =$D1=TRUE

Example Google Sheet here. Make a copy to see the conditional formatting rule.

Screenshot below: