if you right click the upper left cell of the Cross-Tav then choose Cross tab expert...from the menu click the customized Style tab. Select the field in either the Row or Column that you want to change the color of then the background color menu will activate in the drop down menu you can select the color of your choice. if you want the Grand total color to change as well then you can then choos the grand total and follow the same process. then click ok.

thank you all, for providing instructions and link.