how can excel colour a cell when it has a specified character
 

I have a spreadsheet I input various letter and figures into. I want excel
to automatically colour a cell which has a certain character in so it is
clear where these appear.

Look up "Conditional Formatting" in the HELP files.

Try it out, and then post back with any questions.
--

HTH,

RD
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"Kev" wrote in message
...
I have a spreadsheet I input various letter and figures into. I want excel
to automatically colour a cell which has a certain character in so it is
clear where these appear.

You can use conditional formatting to colour a cell, with up to three
conditions. For example, you could have the cell change to red if you
input the number "1", yellow if you input "2", and green if you input "3".

There are instructions in Excel's help, and he

http://www.contextures.com/xlCondFormat01.html

Kev wrote:
I have a spreadsheet I input various letter and figures into. I want excel
to automatically colour a cell which has a certain character in so it is
clear where these appear.


--
Debra Dalgleish
Excel FAQ, Tips & Book List
http://www.contextures.com/tiptech.html

Kev,

So, if it has the character, you want to hide the cell contents, correct?
One way: Use conditional Formatting.
For example, Conditional Format for A1:A10 to change the Font color to white
(matching the background color of my spreadsheet) when the letter f appears
in the cell:
Select A1:A10, and go to Format | Conditional Formatting.
Switch to Formula Is and type this:
=FIND("f",A1,1)
Click Format and set the desired formatting for the font, borders, or
background.
Click Okay twice.

Note that the Find function is Case Sensitive, so depending on what
character you are searching for, you may have to adjust this.

"Kev" wrote:

I have a spreadsheet I input various letter and figures into. I want excel
to automatically colour a cell which has a certain character in so it is
clear where these appear.

Experiment with Format|Conditional Formatting
Try something like Formula IS : =SEARCH("d",A1)0

best wishes


--
Bernard V Liengme
www.stfx.ca/people/bliengme
remove caps from email

"Kev" wrote in message
...
I have a spreadsheet I input various letter and figures into. I want excel
to automatically colour a cell which has a certain character in so it is
clear where these appear.