I want to set a simple (k-e) formula to apply to all rows in a column
rather than to a finite set of rows. This is because I want people to be
able to add an indefinite number of rows without the formula suddenly
stopping working. Is this possible? (I asked my work IT helpdesk but
they didn't know how to do it nor whether it was possible! :)

thanks folks,

--
dave @ stejonda

Maybe you mean something like this
In say, L2:
=IF(COUNT(E2,K2)<2,"",K2-E2)
Copy L2 down to cover the max expected extent of data in cols E and K, say
down to L200. Col L will then appear "blank" until numbers are entered into
both cols E and K.
--
Max
Singapore
http://savefile.com/projects/236895
xdemechanik
---
"dave @ stejonda" wrote in
message ...

I want to set a simple (k-e) formula to apply to all rows in a column
rather than to a finite set of rows. This is because I want people to be
able to add an indefinite number of rows without the formula suddenly
stopping working. Is this possible? (I asked my work IT helpdesk but they
didn't know how to do it nor whether it was possible! :)

thanks folks,

--
dave @ stejonda

Dave,

You need to be a little more specific - do you want a formula in each cell of a column where the
other cells are filled in, or just a formula that is based on any cell in a column.

If the first, use the option of extending lists: Tools / Options.. Edit tab, check the box next
to "Extend List formats and formulas"

IF the second, write your formula like

=SUM(A:A)

instead of

=SUM(A2:A100)

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"dave @ stejonda" wrote in message
...

I want to set a simple (k-e) formula to apply to all rows in a column rather than to a finite set
of rows. This is because I want people to be able to add an indefinite number of rows without the
formula suddenly stopping working. Is this possible? (I asked my work IT helpdesk but they didn't
know how to do it nor whether it was possible! :)

thanks folks,

--
dave @ stejonda

If you have at least 5 rows already set up, then simply entering data in the
other columns in new rows will automatically fill in the formulas. You do
have to have this setting: Tools/Options/Edit/"Extend data range formats and
formulas" -- the last needs to be checked.
Bob Umlas
Excel MVP

I'm leading a FREE 1-hour online Webinar on Excel Tips & Tricks on Feb 13
and Feb 26 from 6-7PM est. If interested,
go to http://www.iil.com, click on the yellow/orange "Try a free webinar"
link
on the left side, click the Microsoft Excel Tips & Tricks link,
follow instructions to register.

You can also order my book on tips & tricks by visiting the site
http://www.iil.com/iil/excelmagic
Thanks.
Bob Umlas

"dave @ stejonda" wrote in
message ...

I want to set a simple (k-e) formula to apply to all rows in a column
rather than to a finite set of rows. This is because I want people to be
able to add an indefinite number of rows without the formula suddenly
stopping working. Is this possible? (I asked my work IT helpdesk but
they didn't know how to do it nor whether it was possible! :)

thanks folks,

--
dave @ stejonda

The usual trick is to pre-fill with blanks

Let's say we want the formula to be
=A1+B1 and copy down the column

At some point we will run out of values in columns A&B. So instead we use:

=IF(A1="","",A1+B1) and copy all the way down

Now the formula will return blanks unless there is actual data in column A,
etc.


--
g.s. gsnu200701


"dave @ stejonda" wrote:


I want to set a simple (k-e) formula to apply to all rows in a column
rather than to a finite set of rows. This is because I want people to be
able to add an indefinite number of rows without the formula suddenly
stopping working. Is this possible? (I asked my work IT helpdesk but
they didn't know how to do it nor whether it was possible! :)

thanks folks,

--
dave @ stejonda

Bernie,

The formula I have in column N is (in row 4 for example) =SUM(K4-E4)
where columns K & E contain dates, hence column N displays the length of
stay in days. The check box you mention was already ticked so it seems
as if I'd already achieved what I wanted but just didn't know it.

Thanks to you and Bob. :)


In message , Bernie Deitrick
writes
Dave,

You need to be a little more specific - do you want a formula in each
cell of a column where the
other cells are filled in, or just a formula that is based on any cell
in a column.

If the first, use the option of extending lists: Tools / Options..
Edit tab, check the box next
to "Extend List formats and formulas"

IF the second, write your formula like

=SUM(A:A)

instead of

=SUM(A2:A100)

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"dave @ stejonda" wrote
in message
...

I want to set a simple (k-e) formula to apply to all rows in a column
rather than to a finite set
of rows. This is because I want people to be able to add an
indefinite number of rows without the
formula suddenly stopping working. Is this possible? (I asked my work
IT helpdesk but they didn't
know how to do it nor whether it was possible! :)

thanks folks,

--
dave @ stejonda



--
dave @ stejonda

Dave,

I have to be honest - I think the extend formulas feature is a bit flakey,
and I can only really get it to work reliably when entering data into an
otherwise blank row.

Another possible method is to use events: For example, the code below will,
when you enter a value into any column of any row, copy all of the formulas
from the row above. That may not meet your requirements, but it will work
reliably, as long as macros are enabled. To use the event code, copy it,
right-click the sheet tab where you want this feature, select "View Code"
and paste the code into the window that appears.

Also, the formula that you are using:

=SUM(K4-E4)

really only needs to be

=K4-E4

The SUM is superfluous.

HTH,
Bernie
MS EXcel MVP

Private Sub Worksheet_Change(ByVal Target As Range)
Dim myCell As Range
Dim myFormulas As Range

If Target.Cells.Count 1 Then Exit Sub

Application.EnableEvents = False

On Error GoTo NoFormulas

Set myFormulas = Target.Offset(-1,
0).EntireRow.SpecialCells(xlCellTypeFormulas)

For Each myCell In myFormulas
myCell.Copy myCell(2)
Next myCell

NoFormulas:
Application.EnableEvents = True
End Sub


"dave @ stejonda" wrote in
message ...

Bernie,

The formula I have in column N is (in row 4 for example) =SUM(K4-E4) where
columns K & E contain dates, hence column N displays the length of stay in
days. The check box you mention was already ticked so it seems as if I'd
already achieved what I wanted but just didn't know it.

Thanks to you and Bob. :)


In message , Bernie Deitrick
writes
Dave,

You need to be a little more specific - do you want a formula in each cell
of a column where the
other cells are filled in, or just a formula that is based on any cell in
a column.

If the first, use the option of extending lists: Tools / Options.. Edit
tab, check the box next
to "Extend List formats and formulas"

IF the second, write your formula like

=SUM(A:A)

instead of

=SUM(A2:A100)

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"dave @ stejonda" wrote in
message
...

I want to set a simple (k-e) formula to apply to all rows in a column
rather than to a finite set
of rows. This is because I want people to be able to add an indefinite
number of rows without the
formula suddenly stopping working. Is this possible? (I asked my work IT
helpdesk but they didn't
know how to do it nor whether it was possible! :)

thanks folks,

--
dave @ stejonda



--
dave @ stejonda

Hi Dave

If you have XL2003 then use DataLists
This will automatically extend your list for you including any formulae
as you add more rows at the end.
This feature is even further enhanced (and better) in XL2007.

--
Regards

Roger Govier


"dave @ stejonda" wrote
in message ...

Bernie,

The formula I have in column N is (in row 4 for example) =SUM(K4-E4)
where columns K & E contain dates, hence column N displays the length
of stay in days. The check box you mention was already ticked so it
seems as if I'd already achieved what I wanted but just didn't know
it.

Thanks to you and Bob. :)


In message , Bernie Deitrick
writes
Dave,

You need to be a little more specific - do you want a formula in each
cell of a column where the
other cells are filled in, or just a formula that is based on any cell
in a column.

If the first, use the option of extending lists: Tools / Options..
Edit tab, check the box next
to "Extend List formats and formulas"

IF the second, write your formula like

=SUM(A:A)

instead of

=SUM(A2:A100)

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"dave @ stejonda"
wrote in message
...

I want to set a simple (k-e) formula to apply to all rows in a
column rather than to a finite set
of rows. This is because I want people to be able to add an
indefinite number of rows without the
formula suddenly stopping working. Is this possible? (I asked my
work IT helpdesk but they didn't
know how to do it nor whether it was possible! :)

thanks folks,

--
dave @ stejonda



--
dave @ stejonda