Insert something automatically once only

[news]

Hi,

I can't use VBA to solve this because the PCs all have VBA disabled (no
way around this unfortunately), so I have to solve this using worksheet
functions.

What I wan't to do is have the date automatically inserted into a
spreadsheet and then not changed. If I use now() it changes every time
I open the spreadsheet. Assuming the cell is A1, I've tried something
like:
=if(A1="", NOW(), A1)
But this results in a circular reference. What I really want is
something like:
=if(A1="", NOW(), <do nothing - just leave this cell alone>)

Is there any way around this? (I tried using hidden cells, but each
time I get a circular reference.)

Cheers
Mark

 

[excelmunkey]

Hi Mark,

I'm afraid this is impossible (unless I'm missing something), and VBA
would be necessary.
The now function is volatile - hence will always update.

If it's any help you can easily enter the system date with the key
combination: Ctrl + ;

Cheers,
JF.

 

[news]

Hi JF,

Most unfortunate.

Thanks for the reply anyway.

Cheers
Mark