I have two tables in Excel 2007, first table details actions, tasks etc for
different individuals stating a critical date €“ie date by which their action
should be completed. Second table details months from April 2009 to May 2010,
end date by which the project should be completed.

Columns AB in this case represent Table 1, and columns C to G represent
Table 2.

A B C D E F G
1. Date Person actioned Apr-09 May-09 Jun-09 Jul-09 Aug-09
2.
3. Apr-10 PA
4. complete DS
5. Sep-09 AB
6. May-09 CD
7. complete GP
8. Oct- 09 GP
9. Sep-09 DS
10.
11. Jan-10 EH
12. complete AM
13. Dec09 JS

I have put my IF(OR) commands into Table 2 i.e to look at column A, and put
in blanks if complete, or blank etc.
My problems are as follows:
1) I initially wanted C1 to look at the date in A3, and if more than 6
months, leave blank, but I found that as I copied the formulae across and
down, my absolutes and references were ignored. So I decided to leave it as I
could not manually go over 100s of lines to make the formula look at the
correct row, and column. Any answers to this are welcome
2) I then concentrated on conditional formatting of Table 2, i.e. look at
column A, if diff between todays date and row say A3 is <=3, or 3<=6 or 6,
to put in the various colours for the 3 conditions. These are coming out
wrong; I have reds in blank cells, ambers where they do not apply etc. Am I
missing a step?
3) I do not mind suggestions on how to rethink this as it has taken me
several days already. At this rate the project will be over before I get the
table done.
I am sorry this is so long, thought if I gave enough detail it would be
easier to help. Thanks