Counting characters in Excel
 

Using Microsoft Excel, I need to keep the amount of characters in a column
below 30. I think some are more than that. Using a formula in one column,
can I ask the software to count the number of characters in another column so
I don't have to manually count? Or if it is easier can I just ask it to cut
off the characters after 30?

Counting characters in Excel
 

Assume data in A1 down

In B1: =LEN(A1)
will return the count of characters

In C1: =LEFT(A1,30)
will return the leftmost 30 characters

You could select B1:C1 and copy down as far as required

If you are setting it up to restrict data entry to < 30 characters, try data
validation

Assume data to be entered in E1 down
Select col E, click Data Validation,
Allow: Custom
Formula: =LEN(E1)<30
Click OK
--
Max
Singapore
http://savefile.com/projects/236895
xdemechanik
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"patsfan" wrote:
Using Microsoft Excel, I need to keep the amount of characters in a column
below 30. I think some are more than that. Using a formula in one column,
can I ask the software to count the number of characters in another column so
I don't have to manually count? Or if it is easier can I just ask it to cut
off the characters after 30?

Counting characters in Excel
 

Let's assume the column in question is column A.

You can enter this formula in column to count the characters:

=LEN(A1)

Copy down as needed.

You can also set data validation to not allow entries over 30 characters.
However, this can be defeated by copying/pasting into a validated cell or by
drag -n- drop.

Select the range of cells where you want this to apply.
Goto DataValidation
Allow: Text Length
Data: less than or equal to
Maximum: 30
OK out

--
Biff
Microsoft Excel MVP


"patsfan" wrote in message
...
Using Microsoft Excel, I need to keep the amount of characters in a column
below 30. I think some are more than that. Using a formula in one
column,
can I ask the software to count the number of characters in another column
so
I don't have to manually count? Or if it is easier can I just ask it to
cut
off the characters after 30?