Let's assume the data you are searching for in cell A1 and your column of
data is in column B

Use the conditional formatting formula:
=AND($A$1<"",LEFT(B1,LEN($A$1))=$A$1) and choose whatever format you
want

Regards

Trevor


"Qisme615" wrote in message
...
I have to input client's last and first names ( 2 different columns). I
want
to be able to type the last name and each cell in the last name column
will
change color automatically when I type. I know how to color the whole
column
but not this method. A coworker was able to do it but she left and I can't
ask her. Hope I made sense, if someone could guide me I would appreciate
it.

Thank you.