data input "masks"

[Scratch]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I'm looking for a way to add an input mask to a column/cell. I input a lot of time data, and I hate having to enter all those ":" between the numbers. Can Excel be setup with an input mask so I can type 204 with the resulting value in the cell of 2:04?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I'm looking for a way to add an input mask to a column/cell. I input a lot of
time data, and I hate having to enter all those ":" between the numbers. Can
Excel be setup with an input mask so I can type 204 with the resulting value
in the cell of 2:04?

In previous versions (and presumably in the next one) you could use an
event macro to take your entry and modify it. Unfortunately, you can't
do that in XL08.

(Note that your example is ambiguous - does 2:04 represent 2 hours 4
minutes, or 2 minutes 4 seconds?)

If you're willing to use a helper cell/column, you can use something
like:


A1: 204

B1: =IF(A1="", "", --TEXT(A1, "00\:00\:00"))

if 2:04 is supposed to indicate 2 minutes 4 seconds, or

B1: =IF(A1="", "", --TEXT(A1, "00\:00"))

if 2:04 is supposed to indicate 2 hours 4 minutes

Copy B1 down as far a necessary for column entry.

You'll also probably have to format the helper column to display your
preferred format.

 

[Scratch]

J.E.

Thanks for the info! I'll use the helper cell option as a workaround until there's an input mask feature. I tried it out and it worked perfectly!

Scratch