Formating text columns layout with page breaks in Excel 97

[Shayne T.]

I was wondering if there is a way to link columns, so once the page break is
reached that Excel will automatically continue a list in a designated column
to the right?

I am trying to create a multi-paged checklist of DVD titles. The sheet is
mostly text based, created in Excel 97. The eventual goal is to use this
checklist as a template to catalog all other types of media too (CDs, video
game carts,...).

The spreadsheet is 4 Columns across (A to D) and each page in the
spreadsheet is 30 rows in length. Columns 'A' and 'C' will have check-boxes;
Columns 'B' and 'D' are the DVD Titles (text). I have set the page break to
be every 30 rows (row 31, 61, 91, 121, etc.... )

The problem I am having is trying to find a way to get Excel to
automatically continue text data to the next text column on the same
worksheet page. When both text columns are filled, I would like Excel to
automatically move to the next text column, on following page.

To be a bit more clear--- When I have filled all the 30 rows in column 'B',
for Excel to automatically continue the list in column 'D'. When all 30 rows
of column 'D' (page 1) are filled, I would like Excel to automatically
continue the list on the next page, starting back in column 'B'.

By default, Excel just keeps the list going in one column, making new pages
every 30 rows. That makes for a very long list, especially when it comes to
printing!

I am sure there is probably a very easy solution, but for the life of me,
I'm stumped.

I would grateful for any kind help from forum members. I am still an extreme
noob when it comes to any formulas or VBA coding.

Cheers and thanks in advance,

Shayne T.

 

[kassie]

cHECK OUT THIS SITE
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/snakecol.htm

 

[Shayne T.]

Thank you for your reply, Kassie.

I did check out Mr. McRitchie's snake column page that you recommended.
Sadly, I think my lack of experience with modifying formula and macros is
really holding me back from getting the solutions on this web page to really
work. I tried to install the macros, but I'm getting run-time errors.

I was hoping that this type of column "snaking" was something a lot of folks
do in their worksheets. It seems that column "snaking" is a bit out of scope
of what Excel is intended for. As Mr. McRitchie wrote on his page, "Since
snaking columns is so easily done with the help of MS Word and with a lot
more control over printing that there is not much point to trying to do this
in Excel -- at least as long as Excel itself does not support this feature."

So I guess the easiest solution right now is to just copy and paste into the
other column once I get past every 30th row or create the list in Word.

Oh well, it was worth the try. I do really appreciate your help.Thank u.

Best Regards,

Shayne T.