I used the QModelIndex's model to color the cell using the setData method that was mentioned above, but as part of slot rather than a delegate. This will highlight whatever cell the user clicks on.

Qt Code: 
  1. void MyParentWidget::init()
  2. {
  3. 	connect(((QAbstractItemView*)this->table), SIGNAL(pressed(const QModelIndex&)), 
  4.                this, SLOT(highlightCell(const QModelIndex&)));
  5. }
To copy to clipboard, switch view to plain text mode 

Qt Code: 
  1. void MyParentWidget::highlightCell(const QModelIndex &cellIndex)
  2. {
  3.     for(int i=0; i<cellIndex.model()->columnCount(); i++)
  4.     {
  5.       for(int j=0; j<cellIndex.model()->rowCount(); j++)
  6.       {
  7. 		if(i == cellIndex.column() && j == cellIndex.row())
  8. 		{
  9. 			((QStandardItemModel*)cellIndex.model())->item(cellIndex.row(), i)->setData(QBrush(Qt::yellow), 
  10.                                Qt::BackgroundRole);
  11. 		}
  12. 		else
  13. 		{
  14. 			((QStandardItemModel*)cellIndex.model())->item(cellIndex.row(), i)->setData(QBrush(Qt::white), 
  15.                               Qt::BackgroundRole);
  16. 		}
  17.       }
  18.     }
  19. }
To copy to clipboard, switch view to plain text mode 

You can modify & extend this behavior to meet your needs.