Color Coding Symbols in a dropdown list in a table

[Patch1482]

Hi, I am trying to Color Code using CHAR(117) into my budge in "payment status" column range. I want to use "SB" (Submitted) with color being Red, "PN" (Pending) with the color being Yellow or Orange, "PD" (Paid) using the color Green. When I do the Data Validation  for the Dropdown I get the symbol but I lose the color of  CHAR(117). I have tried several ways to fix the issue but I have not been able to resolve the Issue. ANy help woul be apperica

[#2]

@Patch1482 

You're making the job far more difficult than it needs to be, by using special characters (CHAR(117). 

Excel's Custom Formatting is made for the kind of thing you're trying to do. See it there on the right on the  "Home" tool bar?

I set up these rules

to get this in the way of results