Cell length

[Tim]

Hello all,

I have a sheet that I input account numbers into and
the "powers-to-be" would like one character per cell.
Can I set set something up so the next cell is selected
when I input. Now I have to input, arrow over to the
next cell, input, arrow over, etc.

Thaks

 

[Dan E]

Tim,

My suggestion would be to do this:

Enter your account numbers as usual, then once your
done entering, select all of the newly entered account
numbers and choose Data -> Text To Columns.

When the Convert Text to Columns Wizard appears
choose Fixed width and hit next
by clicking on the scale you can enter separators, put
one in between each letter number so that they are all
separated and hit finish.

Done correctly this will put each character into it's own
cell and you won't have to # tab # tab # till you fingers
fall off.

Dan E

 

[Jason Morin]

I would suggest keying the entire account number into one
cell and allow formulas to pull in the individual
characters. For example, in A1:

543-1

In B1: =MID(A1,1,1)
In C1: =MID(A1,2,1)
In D1: =MID(A1,3,1)
In E1: =MID(A1,4,1)
In F1: =MID(A1,5,1)
and so forth

Then hide col. A if necessary.

HTH
Jason
Atlanta, GA

 

[Dave R.]

If I might ask, what is the purpose of having 1 character per cell? Is it to
allow for easier (in the powers that be's eyes) analyzing the individual
numbers within an accout number?

Or perhaps is it an attempt to improve data-entry quality? If it's not this,
then you might be left with doing a visual basic macro where you would type
in the whole account # into one cell, then run the macro which splits the
account number off to the right (or left or whatever) as far as it needs to
go, 1 character per cell.

 

[Mark Nelson]

Assuming the account number you want to input is 12345
and the big cheese wants 1 in A1, 2 in B1, 3 in C1, 4 in
D1, and 5 in E1.

Excel's default of cursor movement is down once cell
after you hit the Enter key.

If you select Tools from the menu, Options, and the Edit
tab under options, you can change the direction to have
the cursor move to the right, left, up, or down. If you
want to move to the right, select "right" in the drop
down box, and select "OK". Then, if you enter 1 in A1,
hit enter, then the cursor automagically moves to cell
B1, where you can input your second number of your
account number, etc.

I believe that whatever you select in your direction
option will apply to all spreadsheets until you change
it. I usually select the default (down) since I usually
enter columns of numbers.

Hope that helps.

Mark