Try this to color the cell...

Select the cell of interest. Let's assume this is cell A1.

Goto the menu FormatConditional Formatting
Select the Formula Is option
Enter this formula in the box on the right:
=OR(A1="failed",A1="pass",A1="pending",A1="offer made")
Click the Format button
Select the desired style(s)
OK out

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"Lydia" wrote in message
...
I want a symbol or color to appear when I have the following words entered
into a cell (failed, pass, pending and offer made). I'm thinking I need an
IF
formula or conditional formatting, but I've never used either. I would
rate
myself as a 5 on Excel on a 1-10 scale. I'm no expert!

Thanks for all the help!
--
Lydia