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-   -   Returning text from several cells into one cell (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=261518)

  • Sep 17, 2008, 12:22 PM
    marlonzeke
    Returning text from several cells into one cell
    I would like to return the following information
    Cell A1 Cell B1 Cell C1
    One Two Three

    In one cell. The answer could be a combination of the possible combinations. Obviously the formula may have some condiational statements (IF) as well as a macro that concactenates.
    One: Two: Three:
    One: Two:
    One:
    Two: Three:
    Three:
    One Three

    The output however could be a combintion of the six options above. We must be able to type in information in the cell to the right of the text. Also, we must have the ability to retypr information without destroying the setting/formatting.

    Mm
    6142091385
  • Sep 17, 2008, 02:35 PM
    JBeaucaire
    Getting the text from multiple cells into one is a simple concatenation formula:

    =A1&" "&B1&" "&C1

    If you want to be able to "type" after it, you're out of simple luck. You'll need another cell for that special typing... say D1.

    =A1&" "&B1&" "&C1&" "&D1

    To change the order (your six options) requires you to simply reorder the formula as desired.

    There is no simple way to automate any of this beyond this level. If I read you question accurately and you'd like some sort of automated selection of up to six different combinations AND the ability to type in the same cell after it... you're talking about sophisticated integrated VB programming, which I doubt you're ready for.
  • Sep 18, 2008, 05:58 AM
    marlonzeke
    Jbeaucaire, thanks for the expeditious response. I imagined as much. My boss wants this feature, but I'm not a programmer. I would try and simplify. I believe I would have to place the output in one cell and have a blan cell adjacent to it that asks the user to input the options identified in the 'output" cell.

    Thanks
    Marlon
  • Sep 18, 2008, 06:06 AM
    marlonzeke
    J, my ultimate struggle is that I only gave you thi simple example. I actually have seven variables. So keep me honest here. I can actually have a total of 5020 options/combinations as possible ansers. If so, would it be a challenge to have the conditaional IF statements given that there is a limt (I believe) to the number of IF statements one can use.
    mm
  • Sep 18, 2008, 08:59 AM
    JBeaucaire
    If statements can go 7 level deeps. Can you describe the 7 variables and the decisions that go into deciding if you want to show them or not in the result?

    And by the way, the "comment" field you want to add would make eight, right?
  • Sep 18, 2008, 09:05 AM
    JBeaucaire
    Listen, sometimes you get stuck in the process trying to get to a specific result through a preconceived idea of how to get there.

    Instead, completely present the result desired. If you can do that, a solution can usually be designed. From what you've said so far, your boss may need to be ready to spend some money to get a programmer to give you what you want.

    A spreadsheet is great at mixing data and reformatting it... but 5020 permutations of a single result? That's over the top. You need to rethink what the data is for, why you need it in this format, and what the point of seeing it that way is. If you are going to do something specific with the result, what is it?

    I just ask all of this because I've had bosses ask me to do things for years that took DAYS of programming and fiddling just to get it done and then they say, "Cool, that looks nice, thanks." In the end it changed little... wasn't worth the effort.

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