Hi,
Data Validation is not relevant. Lets suppose that the cells that are going
to control the color coding are in column A and you want to format to column
M based on the value in the A column cell. You didn't tell us the condition
you are testing for so lets say is >50
To conditionally format your cell(s):
In 2003:
1. Select the cells you want to format, in my example A2:M100
2. Choose Format, Conditional Formatting
3. Choose Formula is from the first drop down
4. In the second box enter the formula:
=$A2>50
5. Click the Format button
6. Choose a color on the Patterns tab (or any available option)
7. Click OK twice.
In 2007:
1. Highlight all the cells on the rows you want formatted, A2:M100 for example
2. Choose Home, Conditional Formatting, New Rule
3. Choose Use a formula to determine which cell to format
4. In the Format values where this formula is true enter the following
formula:
=$A2>50
5. Click the Format button and choose a format.
6. Click OK twice