Dan,

Welcome to the Board. Please ensure your thread titles are both succinct and relevant to the problem at hand. Given this was your first post I have on this occasion modified for you.

In terms of your request... perhaps you might investigate use of Conditional Formatting ?

see:
http://www.contextures.com/xlCondFormat03.html#Expiry
http://spreadsheets.about.com/od/exc..._excel2007.htm

for basic examples

If you wish to upload a sample file to illustrate your requirements you can do so via paperclip icon (use Go Advanced Reply window)