I assume you are not running Excel 2007 which allows more than 3 conditions.
In earlier versions you will need to employ VBA
Here is some event code to place in the sheet module.............right-click
on sheet tab and "View Code".
Paste the code into that module. Edit to suit.
Option Compare Text
Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
Set r = Range("A1:A10")
If Intersect(Target, r) Is Nothing Then
Exit Sub
End If
vals = Array("1-High", "2-Med", "3-Low", "4-On Hold", "5-Cancelled")
nums = Array(8, 9, 6, 3, 7)
For Each rr In r
icolor = 0
For i = LBound(vals) To UBound(vals)
If UCase(rr.Value) = vals(i) Then
icolor = nums(i)
End If
Next
If icolor > 0 Then
rr.Interior.ColorIndex = icolor
End If
Next
End Sub
Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP