Are you shading with the palette drop down on the toolbar, or are you
using Format, cells, patterns.
How do you know you have color if you can't see it on display or in print.
If the colors disappear upon entry, perhaps you have an event macro
removing the color.
The high contrast option would prevent you from display the colors
on the display check that out.
Q320531 -- OFF: Changes to Fill Color and Fill Pattern Are Not Displayed,
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=320531
Incorrect/missing colors may occur with use of High Contrast under Display tab of Accessibility Options. Colors don't show on
monitor however, you may be able to see the changes in print preview and on a printed page. Also see Problems topic. (which
was pointed to in the previous post).