Hi Mary,

Step by step:

1. I assume you're working in a document (a file whose name has a .doc
extension). Use the File > Save As command and set the "Save as type"
box at the bottom of the dialog to "Document Template (*.dot)". The
folder automatically changes to your Templates folder. Save the
template there with an appropriate name.

2. Press Alt+F11 to open the macro editor. On the left side there
should be a pane with a tree view showing the open templates (if not,
click View > Project Explorer). One of the icons in the tree will be
labeled with the name of the template.

3. Expand the icon for the template (click the little plus sign next
to it if necessary). There will be a sub-item labeled Microsoft Word
Objects and, under that, one labeled ThisDocument. Double-click the
ThisDocument icon. You should get a large empty pane to the right.

4. Copy the following code (which I've altered to match the behavior
you described) and paste it into the large empty pane.

5. Save the template and close it.

6. Click File > New. If you get a task pane on the right, choose
Templates On My Computer. Find the template in the list and
double-click it to make a new document based on the template. Clicking
in any cell in the last three columns of the table will change the
background color from blank to the proper color for that column, and
clicking it again will change it back to blank.

Option Explicit

Private WithEvents wdApp   As Word.Application

Private Sub Document_New()
   'assign Word to the application variable
   If wdApp Is Nothing Then
       Set wdApp = ThisDocument.Application
   End If
End Sub

Private Sub Document_Open()
   'assign Word to the application variable
   If wdApp Is Nothing Then
       Set wdApp = ThisDocument.Application
   End If
End Sub

Private Sub wdApp_WindowSelectionChange(ByVal Sel As Selection)
   ' get out as fast as possible if not in table
   If Not Sel.Information(wdWithInTable) Then Exit Sub
   
   With Sel.Cells(1)
       ' work only on the rightmost three columns
       Select Case .ColumnIndex
       Case Sel.Tables(1).Columns.Count - 2:
           ' green
           If .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex <> wdAuto Then
                .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex = wdAuto
           Else
                .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex = wdBrightGreen
           End If
       Case Sel.Tables(1).Columns.Count - 1:
           ' yellow
           If .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex <> wdAuto Then
                .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex = wdAuto
           Else
                .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex = wdYellow
           End If
       Case Sel.Tables(1).Columns.Count:
           'red
           If .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex <> wdAuto Then
                .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex = wdAuto
           Else
                .Shading.BackgroundPatternColorIndex = wdRed
           End If
       End Select
   End With
End Sub

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP        FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
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