Question

What is the Difference between sorting and conditional formatting in excel

Answer 1

Conditional formatting in Excel with Icons won't do what you would like.  Ideally you could set the Icon Values to a formula that would allow more flexibility, but this doesn't work.  If you are willing to use fill instead of icons to indicate your highlights, you could do this:

   Insert two hidden columns at G and H   (you already have some hidden columns)

      Put the first number in column G (90 for Sales A, 80 for Sales B, 70 for Sales C)

      Put the second number in column H (85 for Sales A, 70 for Sales B, 65 for Sales C)

Next build three rules covering the range $B$2:$B:10

   First select the range $B$2:$B:10

   Select fill color of red  (this will be the default when the conditions don't apply)

   Select a New Rule "Use a formula to determine which cells to format"

      Format values where this formula is true:  =AND(B2>=H2, B2<G2)

      Select fill of yellow  

   Select a New Rule "Use a formula to determine which cells to format"

      Format values where this formula is true:  =B2>=G2

      Select fill of green

The conditional formatting will follow the sorting, but you don't get the icons.