You don't need another column necessarily, you could use conditional
formatting to make the birthday cell change to a different background
or font colour 5 days before the due date. just insert somewhere (eg H1
on the spreadsheet)

=TODAY()

conditionally format the "birthday" cell so that :- cell value is less
than or equal to $H$1+5

Apply the colour change format


nb. The birthday cells must be date formatted, and The Birthday cell
should be edited to the next birthday event due, once you have
completed your contact action.


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tghcogo
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