Simple task, do I need a macro?

[poguelife]

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

Within my spreadsheet, with a single mouse click I want to change a cell value to the current date, and then increase the value of another cell by +1. I have come to understand that I need to write a macro to do this. Is this so? What is the simplest way to do this?

 

[JE McGimpsey]

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

Within my spreadsheet, with a single mouse click I want to change a cell
value to the current date, and then increase the value of another cell by +1.
I have come to understand that I need to write a macro to do this. Is this
so? What is the simplest way to do this?

Since XL08 doesn't support macros, you're out of luck there...

Even in other versions of XL, a single-click is difficult to trap (at
least without also trapping arrow keys, Return, Tab, etc)

You can use an AppleScript to make the manipulations once you've
selected the cell, but it won't happen with a single mouse click. Is
that a show-stopper?

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

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

Within my spreadsheet, with a single mouse click I want to change a cell value
to the current date, and then increase the value of another cell by +1. I have
come to understand that I need to write a macro to do this. Is this so? What
is the simplest way to do this?

I don't know about a single mouse click, but you can enter the current date
into a cell by keying control-semicolon. Simply put a formula in another
cell that adds one. Key control-; in A1, and in b1 have the formula =A1+1.
Format B1 as a date.

 

[poguelife]

Since XL08 doesn't support macros, you're out of luck there.
.... I was under the impression that XL08 simply didn't support VBA, not that it didn't support macros at all. I was thinking that macros are supported in other languages, is this not the case?

Even in other versions of XL, a single-click is difficult to trap (at
least without also trapping arrow keys, Return, Tab, etc)

....not sure what is meant by "trapping", but I had been using Forms buttons attached to a VBA macro. Just clicked the button and I was fine (in Win XP 2003).

You can use an AppleScript ...

....is AppleScript a language, like VBA?

Is that a show-stopper?

.... unfortunately it is because it undermines my objective of being easy to perform a simple but very repetitive task. I also enjoy slouching and using my other hand to hold a coffee cup ;-)

Simply put a formula in another cell that adds one. Key control-; in A1, and in b1 have the >formula =A1+1. Format B1 as a date.

.... I could have been clearer, the "B" column you give as example is straight numerical value, independent of the date.

.... I am a variety entertainer and I have 100s of skill sets and scripts/patter that get rusty without regular practice or rehearsal. Of course, not all skills need to be practiced with the same regularity. From time to time I have found myself in the middle of a card trick and forgotten how it goes! Hence the desire to track what I practice and when/how often I rehearse it, with a spreadsheet. If column "A" represents a list of perishable (forgettable) skills or scripts, such as A1= Shuffle a deck of Cards, A2= Ride a Unicycle, A3=Juggling 7 clubs, etc etc, then I wish to have a buttons associated with each in column B that will input the date at which each is rehearsed. The date goes in C. Column D identifies how often the skill needs to be rehearsed without getting "rusty", i.e. D1=+90(days), D2=+360days, D3=+7(days). A simple formula goes into E to show the "due date" There is conditional formating to show a yellow cell when things are coming due and Red when expired. The next columne, F ... is a running total of how many times I've rehearsed a routine; I won't perform something unless I'm comfortable with it and have rehearsed it at least 50 times. THIS is the column in which the macro needs to include [F_]=[F_] + 1. I have other columns which track other statistics, but through some independent study I was able to figure out enough of VBA to make this happen.

I'm now investigating MS Office 2004 as I've gleaned that it supported VBA. Thanks gents

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

... I was under the impression that XL08 simply didn't support VBA, not that
it didn't support macros at all. I was thinking that macros are supported in
other languages, is this not the case?

Excel 2008 does indeed support XLM macros, the language that has been
supported on both platforms since Excel 3. However, these macros can not be
recorded.

...not sure what is meant by "trapping", but I had been using Forms buttons
attached to a VBA macro. Just clicked the button and I was fine (in Win XP
2003).


...is AppleScript a language, like VBA?

Sort of.

Is that a show-stopper?

... unfortunately it is because it undermines my objective of being easy to
perform a simple but very repetitive task. I also enjoy slouching and using my
other hand to hold a coffee cup ;-)

Simply put a formula in another cell that adds one. Key control-; in A1, and
in b1 have the >formula =A1+1. Format B1 as a date.

... I could have been clearer, the "B" column you give as example is straight
numerical value, independent of the date.


... I am a variety entertainer and I have 100s of skill sets and
scripts/patter that get rusty without regular practice or rehearsal. Of
course, not all skills need to be practiced with the same regularity. From
time to time I have found myself in the middle of a card trick and forgotten
how it goes! Hence the desire to track what I practice and when/how often I
rehearse it, with a spreadsheet. If column "A" represents a list of perishable
(forgettable) skills or scripts, such as A1= Shuffle a deck of Cards, A2= Ride
a Unicycle, A3=Juggling 7 clubs, etc etc, then I wish to have a buttons
associated with each in column B that will input the date at which each is
rehearsed. The date goes in C. Column D identifies how often the skill needs
to be rehearsed without getting "rusty", i.e. D1=+90(days), D2=+360days,
D3=+7(days). A simple formula goes into E to show the "due date" There is
conditional formating to show a yellow cell when things are coming due and Red
when expired. The next columne, F ... is a running total of how many times
I've rehearsed a routine; I won't perform something unless I'm comfortable
with it and have rehearsed it at least 50 times. THIS is the column in which
the macro needs to include [F_]=[F_] + 1. I have other columns which track
other statistics, but through some independent study I was able to figure out
enough of VBA to make this happen.

Then just key control; into column C.

I'm now investigating MS Office 2004 as I've gleaned that it supported VBA.
Thanks gents

Yes, Office 2004 does in deed support VBA.

 

[poguelife]

Much thanks, Bob, J.E., I really appreciate your help ;-)