Excel 2007 : Conditional formatting-change the color in column

[orcaspower]

Hopefully this will be quick.

I have dates in column N and notes in column O.
I want to change the color in column O if the date in column N is equal to or older than today.
For instance if N2 is 9/1/06 then O2 should be red. Same with N3 and O3, etc.

I've tried "Format only cells that contain" "cell value" "less than or equal to" =N2:N300=TODAY() and applied it to $O$O and everything in O turns red. I've also applied ti to $O#2:$O$300 and the same thing happens.

Anyone have ideas?

[contaminated]

Try next one

Highlight column O then select Formula Is from dropdown and type this formulae
=$N2<=TODAY()

HTH

[orcaspower]

Thank you.
You post put me on the right track.
The formulae is actually =$N1<TODAY()
Works perfectly now.