If its only 2 colours to be triggered,
we could use normal conditional formatting

Assuming col A, A1 down is where the codes will be selected

Select col A
Click Format Conditional Formatting

Under Condition 1, put it as:
Formula is: =A1="HD"
Click Format button Patterns tab Red? OK

Click Add

Under Condition 2, put it as:
Formula is: =A1="RES"
Click Format button Patterns tab Purple? OK
Click OK at the main dialog

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Rgds
Max
xl 97
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Singapore, GMT+8
xdemechanik
http://savefile.com/projects/236895
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"YanYan" wrote in message
...
I have a validation list on my worksheet, the list includes different
codes
such as HD, SL, OR and RES. Whenever HD is chosen, I want it to turn red,
whenever RES is chosen, I want it to turn purple. How do I do this?