How to auto-return to next cell that accepts data.

[charlesweaver33]

Hello, let me begin by saying that I'm completely new to excel and a
complete ignoramus when it comes to this stuff so I apologize in
advance for any stupid questions. I just opened excel for the first
time 2 days ago, so here we go.

I'm trying to create a pay sheet that I can use on the computer to
enter each job's pay. I install 2-3 alarms a day so that's a separate
row for each. There are four separate pay entries (column) for each
job. I've got that done and have even figured out how to make those
cells add up for a total commission and for service calls to be added
as well to calculate the total salary for the week.

The entire sheet only goes from column A through J (J is the total
commission) and from row 1 through 52.

Now my ignorance kicks in.

I want the sheet to behave in this way:
(if possible)

When I enter something in one cell I want to be able to hit enter or
tab and move to the next cell to the right (which is what it does
now), but when I get to the end of that row and last column when I hit
enter or tab I want it to go to the next cell in the row below, column
B to start another job. Column A is just numbering each row so I don't
want to be able to enter anything there.

I also have three separate cells for pay dates. One is starting the
pay period, the other is ending it and the last is the pay date. I
have the pay period cells formatted to M-DD and the pay date formatted
to M-DD-YY. I don't know if this is possible but can I make it to
when you enter the ending pay period the pay date automatically
calculates?

Example: This pay period is from 4-16 to 4-21 and the pay date is
(always) 6 days later 4-27-07.

I can't help but think I'm not explaining this very well so if I'm not
I can detail each column and row and all that or post the document
somewhere so you guru's can get a better look at what I'm talking
about.

I read around some of these posts and saw recommendations about ranges
and modules and stuff and that's above my head, so if this is too
advanced for me just let me know and possibly point me in the
direction of a good dumbed down tutorial?

Thank you very much for any help.

Charles

 

[Mike]

Enter a date into A1 and put this into B1 to test
=A1+6

 

[R1C1]

Select all of the input cells. Right click on any one of selected cells.
Select Format. Select the Protection tab. Remove the checkmark next to
Locked. Click OK.
Select Tools on the standard toolbar. Put your cursor over Protection.
Select Protect Sheet. If it is not sensitive data, do not enter a password.
This locks all cells except the unlocked input cells. While tabbing, focus
will shift to the first unlocked cell on the next row. This is the simplest
non-VBA method.

There are VBA alternatives via a Worksheet change event. If you are
interested then here is a link to start with. They have a workbook you can
download. Take a look through the code they have written. To access the
code, press Alt & F11 at the same time or select Tools, Macros, Visual Basic
Editor. Right click the worksheet name in the project window and chose "View
Code".

http://www.vbaexpress.com/kb/getarticle.php?kb_id=209

For your second question, in your pay date cell, enter the formula

=B2+6

Change B2 in the formula above to the cell containing the pay period end
date. Drag the formula down the page as necessary to cover other job rows.

Regards,

Alan

 

[charlesweaver33]

Select all of the input cells. Right click on any one of selected cells.
Select Format. Select the Protection tab. Remove the checkmark next to
Locked. Click OK.
Select Tools on the standard toolbar. Put your cursor over Protection.
Select Protect Sheet. If it is not sensitive data, do not enter a password.
This locks all cells except the unlocked input cells. While tabbing, focus
will shift to the first unlocked cell on the next row. This is the simplest
non-VBA method.

There are VBA alternatives via a Worksheet change event. If you are
interested then here is a link to start with. They have a workbook you can
download. Take a look through the code they have written. To access the
code, press Alt & F11 at the same time or select Tools, Macros, Visual Basic
Editor. Right click the worksheet name in the project window and chose "View
Code".

http://www.vbaexpress.com/kb/getarticle.php?kb_id=209

For your second question, in your pay date cell, enter the formula

=B2+6

Change B2 in the formula above to the cell containing the pay period end
date. Drag the formula down the page as necessary to cover other job rows.

Regards,

Alan

Thank you guys so much. Both methods work flawlessly with what I'm
trying to do. I figured I might have been trying to over-complicate it
a little. Thanks for the link too. I'll put it too good use. I never
knew excel was this cool!

Sincerely,
Charles

 

[R1C1]

You're welcome. I've been intriqued (or is it addicted) for years.

Regards,

Alan