alphanumeric range

[jppl2000]

I have more than 3 different choices, ( ab, cd, ef, ghij, kl). They
are also aphanumeric, (.01 ab, 6 cd, .50 ef, 8 ghij),etc. The numbers
may range from .01 to 8.0. The letters will always remain the same. I
would like to change the color of all the ab entries to a specific
background color, regardless of the number range, and a different
selected color for the other alpha entries. If this is possible,
could I also obtain a sum total of all the numbers ony with the ab,
then with the cd,and each of the alphanumeric sets? How to get
started? Thanks.

Jim