formatting columns

  • Thread starter Thread starter sue
  • Start date Start date
S

sue

Thanks everyone, but let me explain my situation.
I am preparing to set up a database in Access2002. My old
database is Clarion. It was already antiquated when the
department had ITS set it up 7 years ago, and I have to
export to Excel any time I need to pull reports or due
mailmerge with Word docs. That's why I'm setting up the
Access database. However I'm having a hard time
convincing my not so computer savvy boss to let me use
Access. He knows how to use Excel on a limited basis...a
very limited basis. It will be a few months before I will
have the time to set up the Access database so I must do
my data entry into Excel.

There are already 8800 entries. Therefore I need the
entire column formatted for the one formula. AutoFill
takes care of most of the other 36 columns of
information. I'm just trying to get the two columns to
work together, as well has having 4 other columns
automatically have something in them, that I can overwrite
if needed. This last part I know how to do... I think.

So... If I type a 1 in Column A, dogs should appear when I
tab to B. If I type a 2 in the next row, cats should
appear when I tab to B. But... I need this for all 16000
plus rows in the worksheet! Is there no way to highlight
the entire column when I put the formula in... in other
words, is there a formula that would automatically include
every cell in the column, instead of my typing the formula
in the first cell, and then having to drap it down the
whole column.

Also, if creating the spreadsheet ahead of time, and then
protecting the one column...can I copy the current
spreadsheet, with all the info in it from the Clarion
database? Basically what I need is a formula that will
work for the whole column, for 8 different choices.

I've tried the =IF(A1:A16000,"dogs", .... that didn't work.
 
I'm not really sure I understand the problem. If the purpose is to avoid
dragging down, you can highlight the range you want, enter a formula in the
active cell, and then hit <Ctrl> <Enter> to fill the entire range with the
formula.
 
It would be better for you Sue, and the rest of the folks who are willing to
assist you if you would stay with your original post.
In that way, all would know what was already suggested, and what perhaps
didn't work for you, so that they wouldn't duplicate suggestions that you
might have already rejected for one reason or another.

Could you tell me what didn't work for you when you tried the Choose formula
that I had suggested three days ago?
Even though the formula I posted only showed four choices, I did mention
that there was the ability to utilize the function to return 29 choices.
 
Sorry. I'm not familiar with posting on these boards.

Both formulas worked to a point. If I did the drag down
method the cells filled in perfectly. I'm just trying to
avoid that as I will be doing a lot of data entry during a
clean up process, and preparing to use Access. That is
why I wanted the column to be formatted to autofill
depending on the number I put in the first column.

Thanks again for all the help.
 
If your main concern is simply the filling or copying down of the formula,
there is an almost instantaneous procedure that can be employed.

If you first enter all your data, in say column A, and if there are no blank
rows, simply enter your formula in say B1.
Now, select B1.
Hover the cursor over the "drag handle" until it changes from a fat white
cross to a skinny black cross ... And just *double click*.

The formula will be *automatically* copied down column B, as far as there is
data in column A.

This works for columns either to the left or right of the cell to be copied.
If the cell to be copied is between two populated columns, the length of the
left column takes precedence.
--

HTH,

RD
==============================================
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit!
==============================================

Sorry. I'm not familiar with posting on these boards.

Both formulas worked to a point. If I did the drag down
method the cells filled in perfectly. I'm just trying to
avoid that as I will be doing a lot of data entry during a
clean up process, and preparing to use Access. That is
why I wanted the column to be formatted to autofill
depending on the number I put in the first column.

Thanks again for all the help.
 
Thank you one and all. Both formulas work great. I'll
go with the CHOOSE as I have more than 7 listings. I
found that I can not get the whole column to highlight
and format the whole column using the Ctrl/Enter, but if
I drag the formula down a few rows, from there on it does
what it is supposed to do.

Thanks again.
 
Thanks for the feed-back.

Were you not able to use the "double-click" copy method?
--

Regards,

RD
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please keep all correspondence within the Group, so all may benefit !
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you one and all. Both formulas work great. I'll
go with the CHOOSE as I have more than 7 listings. I
found that I can not get the whole column to highlight
and format the whole column using the Ctrl/Enter, but if
I drag the formula down a few rows, from there on it does
what it is supposed to do.

Thanks again.
 
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