-----Original Message-----
Hi,
I am totally new to excel, but I need a chart that can
show a date due
and color code it. For example: if the original date is
23/01/03, I
need that to show say, green. If the due date is now
23/01/04, I need
it to show say, red when it reaches that date I also
would like to
know when the date is getting close, so about a month
before the
23/01/04, I would like it to show yellow. I know it can
be done as I
have seen charts like this, but I don't know enough about
excel to do
it. Is there anyone out there whos knows how this is
done, please.
.


Format menu, choose "Conditional Formatting" - allows you
to enter a criteria as either a value or a formula and tie
it to a specific format for that cell or range of cells.

If you want to check a deadline in column 5, for example,
and turn the whole line yellow if the deadline is less
than 7 days away, red if you are past the deadline, you
could set two conditions based on formulas (consider row C
here)

So in cell C1, go to Conditional Formatting and enter a
formula condition stating if Formula is =C$5<TODAY+7; then
set your formatting options to turn the cell background
yellow. Then add a second condition with the formula
=$C5<TODAY; set that to give you a red background.

This was a quick overview, but check the help files or
search the knowledge base on the topic "Conditional Format"