This doesn't use conditional formatting, but achieves the same effect.

Pthis code in the code page for the sheet where you want this to happen:
Private Sub Worksheet_SelectionChange(ByVal Target As Range)
ActiveSheet.Range("B1").EntireColumn.Interior.Colo rIndex = xlColorIndexNone
ActiveSheet.Range("B" & Target.Row).Interior.ColorIndex = 36
End Sub

If you are new to macros, david mcritchie has some instructions on his site
for navigating the vba editor and how to copy/paste macros into your project.

http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/excel.htm

Hope this helps,

Hutch

"KUMPFfrog" wrote:

I would like to apply conditional formatting in column B to highlight the
cell in the same row as the active/selected cell. Is there a way to
reference the active cell in a function/formula? I'm using 2003 pro.