depends on what you are trying to accomplish, but you can use a Select Case statement in the Form's Current Event, as in this example
Private Sub Form_Current()
Select Case Left(txt1, 1)
Case "1"
txt1.ForeColor = vbRed
Case "2"
txt1.ForeColor = vbCyan
Case "3"
txt1.ForeColor = vbGreen
Case "4"
txt1.ForeColor = vbBlue
Case Else
txt1.ForeColor = vbBlack
End Select
End Sub
PaulF