If the high contrast setting is turned on you won't see the fill colour.
There's information in the following MSKB article:

OFF: Changes to Fill Colour and Fill Pattern Are Not Displayed
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=320531

chances_r wrote:
when i work using excel, i fill cell addresses that are to be modified later
with colors. unforutnately, this excel function is bugging me because i can
no longer see those cells i marked without having it on "print preview".

i tried to make some search on the configurations and function changes that
i may not be aware of i modified but i can't really find the answer or
solution. i even tried reinstalling the whole office package but to my
disppointment, the same proble recurred.

please help.


--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html