Okay, well suppose you type those entries into column D, but you want
the row from column A to column M highlighted as you described.
I'm assuming you have a header row, so that your data starts in row 2.
Starting with A2, then, highlight cells across to M2 and then down for
as far as you think you need. Click on Format | Conditional
Formatting, and in the pop-up you should select Formula Is rather than
Cell Value Is in the first box. Enter this formula in the second box:
=$D2="Paid Off"
Click on the Format button, then on the Patterns tab (for background
colour) and click on yellow then OK. Then click Add to set up the
other condition, and choose Formula Is again, and enter this formula:
=OR($D2="Other Ineligible Date",$D2="")
Click on the Format button again and this time choose red, then click
OK twice to exit the dialogue boxes.
If the cells in column D are empty then the rows should all appear
red, but you can test the settings out by putting other values in
those cells - type Paid Off and the row should turn to yellow, but if
you put, say, xyz in the row is not coloured.
Obviously, you need to change the references to suit your data.
Hope this helps.
Pete