You could use index values rather than the A1 convention
In the sub below, first the values in B2:E2 are displayed,
then the ranges B3:B5, C3:C5, D3:D5 and E3:E5 are given a colour fill

Sub tryme()
For J = 2 To 5
MsgBox Worksheets("Sheet1").Cells(2, J)
Set myrange = Worksheets("Sheet1").Range(Cells(3, J), Cells(5, J))
myrange.Interior.ColorIndex = J + 5
Next J
End Sub


hope this helps
--
Bernard Liengme
http://people.stfx.ca/bliengme
Microsoft Excel MVP

"HarryGuy" wrote in message
...
Windows XP and Excel 2003

The first time through the program should read:

With Active Sheet
.First = Sheets("Rates").Range("B2")
.Second = Sheets("Rates").Range("B3:B186")
End With

The next time through the Ranges should read "C2" and "C3:C186"

Then next time "D2" and "D3:D186" and so on until it reaches "X2"and
"X3:X186"

Can someone suggest a good way to do this. Please.