Hello,

I cannot repeat this:
Option Explicit
Sub test()
Dim theStartingCell As Range
Set theStartingCell = Range("A5")
Debug.Print "starting " & theStartingCell.Address
theStartingCell.Interior.Color = vbRed
Debug.Print "starting " & theStartingCell.Address
End Sub

Do you have any event routines enabled?

Regards,
Bernd