formatting based on text

[Sandra]

I need to format several docs every day. They're programs written in Notepad
and any line that starts off with <! is a comment. My job is to copy the
text from Notepad and change all comment lines to be white text with a black
background. Is there some way for Excel to do this automatically?

I know there are other programs besides Notepad but this is what I'm stuck
with doing so I can't change the process.

 

[ben]

Sandra,

You said you are copying it from notepad, is the final result going to be in
excel or not? If it is you can use excel autoformating.

 

[bj]

You can use condtional formatting
Highlight the excell cells with the information from the notepad
<format><conditinal formating>

Set condition one
<formula is> =left($a1,2)="<!"
set format for white font color and black pattern

Note it is sometimes necewssary to edit the conditional formats. I have had
then change from relative to absolute references or visa versa when I first
hit enter. Also they have a trendency to add odd Quote marks where I don't
want quote marks.

 

[CLR]

And if you want a toggle to turn the whole field off and on, use this
formula in the Conditional Formatting window.........
=AND(LEFT($A1,2)-"<!",$M$1=1)

Then, as long as there is a 1 in M1, the formatting will be as bj describes,
otherwise it will be toggled off.

Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3

 

[Sandra]

I love this - thanks guys

And if you want a toggle to turn the whole field off and on, use this
formula in the Conditional Formatting window.........
=AND(LEFT($A1,2)-"<!",$M$1=1)

Then, as long as there is a 1 in M1, the formatting will be as bj describes,
otherwise it will be toggled off.

Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3

 

[CLR]

You're welcome Sandra........

Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3

 

[Sandra]

I never could get the M1 = 1 trick to work. I can't see what I'm doing wrong
either.
Could someone lpease try this and if it works for them walk me thru step by
step what to type or click and when to do it. I feel so stupid.

 

[CLR]

Sorry Sandra, my bad........typo in the formula, should have been:

=AND(LEFT($A1,2)="<!",$M$1=1)

instead of:
=AND(LEFT($A1,2)-"<!",$M$1=1)

Highlight the range of cells containing your data, say A1:L30, then Format >
Conditional Formatting.....then in the left window of the pop-up, select from
the dropdown arrow "Formula Is", and in the right window, type the correct
version of the above formula.......then FormatButton > and select your choice
of formatting > OK > OK

Then you must hand-type a 1 in cell M1 for the Conditional Formatting to be
active.
(You could have selected any other cell that might be more out of the way of
your data, but must have changed it in the formulas first)

hth
Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3