Help with grouping columns

[couriced]

Maybe I'm overlooking the obvious...but I'm having a hard time groupin
columns.

Here's the goal:

Columns A - L are the 12 months... Jan-Dec.
I want to group 3 columns (3 months) at a time. So I'd have 4 colum
groups side by side.
I select the entire first 3 columns...data...group/outline...an
group...creates the group fine.
I then select the next 3 columns (next 3 months)...to be in their ow
group. When I try to group them...it just ads them to the firs
group...making one large group.
The first 3 columns are not selected when I do this.
I've also tried playing with the summary details in the grou
settings.

Thanks

 

[Ray A]

One way
Try highlighting just 2 columns and grouping. column A & B will Group A B & C.
HTH

 

[CLR]

Try inserting empty helper columns and grouping on either side of the
helpers........

Vaya con Dios,
Chuck, CABGx3

 

[Ken Wright]

Depends what your goal is. When you group your data and collapse them all,
what are you expecting to see? If it is just quarter points, then fine, do
as suggested by Ray and just group the first 2 columns of each group. If
however you want a summary of each quarter then you need to add extra
columns containing that data, such that each group now has 4 columns, and
then group the first 3 of each.

--
Regards
Ken....................... Microsoft MVP - Excel
Sys Spec - Win XP Pro / XL 97/00/02/03

------------------------------­------------------------------­----------------
It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission
------------------------------­------------------------------­----------------

 

[couriced]

Thanks...you have shed some light on the situation.

Another question, however; when grouping columns....why does i
sometimes just show dots across the tops of the columns...and othe
times the lines? I haven't applied any style..

 

[David McRitchie]

Probably the page break lines that you see if you used
Print, Print Preview, or turned on Tools, Options, View, page breaks.

Page breaks takes longer to work with so you might turn them off
if you don't need them.