Reference to named range not working when sub is converted to a worksheet_change sub

[coldturkey]

The active cell has a drop-down list in it and I would like to colour the cell depending on the choice made. Unfortunately you can't pass through formatting when you use a drop-down list.
When I run the following macro as a normal sub it works fine but when I convert it into a worksheet_change sub it gives me an error on the For Each line.

The error message I received is:
Run-time error '1004'
Method' Range of object'_Worksheet failed

Can somebody please explain why and show me how to fix it?
Note: the named range carer_initials is on another worksheet but in the same workbook

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
' Sub to copy format from Carer_initials to activecell if activecell is the same value
Dim c As Range
If ActiveCell.Value <> "" Then
 For Each c In Range("Carer_initials")
 If ActiveCell.Value = c.Value Then
 ActiveCell.font.color = c.font.color
 Exit For
 End If
 Next c
End If
End Sub

My use of VBA is pretty much self-taught so I always have trouble figuring out the correct syntax of some of these.

 

[MARK858]

You need to specify your sheet name in Range("Carer_initials") i.e. Sheets("yoursheetname").Range("Carer_initials") or it refers to the ActiveSheet, but also you should be using Target rather than Activecell if using a Worksheet_Change and do you really want it running on every cell that is Activated?

 

[coldturkey]

You need to specify your sheet name in Range("Carer_initials") i.e. Sheets("yoursheetname").Range("Carer_initials") or it refers to the ActiveSheet, but also you should be using Target rather than Activecell if using a Worksheet_Change and do you really want it running on every cell that is Activated?

Thanks for your response. I tried your suggestion but all it does is convert the error into:
' Application-defined or object-defined error'

I did however find that Application.Range("Carer_initials") solves the problem neatly and the macro now works.

I have taken on board your suggestion about using Target rather than Activecell and modified the macro so it looks neater.
I don't however understand your question about it running on every cell that is activated?
Doesn't the macro run only on the Target cell? If there was a way to only have the macro run when a Target cell in columns D to AI was changed that would be fantastic.

 

[RoryA]

Please also take a minute to note the rules on cross-posting (the same here as on most other Excel forums) and follow them in future. Thanks.

 

[coldturkey]

I have now read the rule on cross-posting.
FYI since there weren't any obvious links to the rules, I went into guidelines and there found a link to the rules. The rule itself mentioned cross-posting but didn't actually say what it was. I then clicked on the link there to get to the Excelguru help site where I found what cross-posting is.
Now I know, and it seems like a reasonable rule.