Applying the same conditional formatting to multiple ranges (multi-range formatting rules)

Question

I'm trying to use Conditional Formatting for a really simple task:

• color cells if they have the same value as a specific another cell.

But I'm getting unexpected results when setting the range to apply!

• Formatting rule: format cells if is equal to =G35; (background color)

When setting the range, I made these tries, which are over 2 cells that have the exact same value as G35:

1. Apply to Range: I7 → I7 is colored green, just as expected;
2. Apply to Range: I7,O8 → only I7 is colored green, O8 is not. I expected both to be colored;
3. Apply to Range: O8,I7 → only O8 is colored green, I7 is not. I expected both to be colored.

I would like to understand where is there error on my thought. Can someone please explain?

Here is the screenshot of the rules, as explained above:

Answer 1

You should use the first cell of the multiple range you're selecting and equal it to the desired one (but anchored). Imagine in the second case:

=I7=$G$35

The conditional cell will "move" to each cell in the range, but $G$35 will remain steady

EDIT: You can also do it with "equals to" and =$G$35 The "$" makes the row and column steady!