Multiple Columns within a Single Cell

[marshalgaddis]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

I want to create multiple columns within a single cell so as to separate the data while, for filter purposes, keeping the data linked.

Is this possible? If so, how?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

I want to create multiple columns within a single cell so as to separate the
data while, for filter purposes, keeping the data linked.

Is this possible? If so, how?

No, columns contain cells, cells can't contain columns.

It's possible to merge cells, but that nearly always causes more
problems that it's worth.

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

I want to create multiple columns within a single cell so as to separate the
data while, for filter purposes, keeping the data linked.

Is this possible? If so, how?

Marshal,

No, you can't do this. However, your question indicates to ma that there is
probably something fundamentally lacking in your understanding of Excel and
how you (and it) should be organizing data. If you would explain you
situation and data in more detail, we can probably offer a solution.

Don't forget, that you have over 16 thousand columns. You can probably
separate your data in one area of the worksheet, and use formulas like =A1&"
"&B1&" "&C1 to display it the way you want in a section of the worksheet
that will be printed.

 

[marshalgaddis]

I understand that I can merge cells so as to collect their data in one cell. The reason I wanted to split cells into multiple columns is because I am conducting a survey in which responses will be recorded in numeric form (as in a 1-10 rating) followed by a narrative (as in an explanation for the rating).

At the conclusion of my survey (of 75 people) I'd like to be able to filter the data so as to show, say, all entrants who scored below 5 and I'd like the narrative to remain linked to the scores.

I won't actually be conducting the surveys, else I would place it all in one cell, but I'm creating this template for a man who is computer illiterate and it needs to be as simple as possible for him to enter data out of designed order and rapidly.

Any suggestions?

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

I understand that I can merge cells so as to collect their data in one cell.
The reason I wanted to split cells into multiple columns is because I am
conducting a survey in which responses will be recorded in numeric form (as in
a 1-10 rating) followed by a narrative (as in an explanation for the rating).

At the conclusion of my survey (of 75 people) I'd like to be able to filter
the data so as to show, say, all entrants who scored below 5 and I'd like the
narrative to remain linked to the scores.

I won't actually be conducting the surveys, else I would place it all in one
cell, but I'm creating this template for a man who is computer illiterate and
it needs to be as simple as possible for him to enter data out of designed
order and rapidly.

Any suggestions?

Sure. Put the score in one column, and the narrative in the next. Make
descriptive column headings. Then use Auto filter. You can then select each
response range and see the result and the comments.

 

[marshalgaddis]

That is what I would like to do. However, the template the man I am working with is comfortable with and would prefer to have is one column with the headings and the data extending out to the right in subsequent columns (I understand I will have to transpose the data to use auto filters).

Essentially, each entry will be two columns wide (the first being a numeric entry and the second being the narrative) by 23 rows (23 questions). But, as I said, the numeric entry and the narrative (the two columns) need to be tied for filtering.