I have a need to use excel to track large quantities of welds on construction
sites. These welds are identified by component and are numerically tracked
by row and sequence (i.e., 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D....1J; 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D....2J; etc).
There could most likely be 180-225 rows like this in a single component. So
far, I have been unable to use Excel's auto-fill capability to prevent from
having to enter each column individually. Any suggestions?

You will need to go through the pain once to set up a custom list. Enter
the data in a list and then go to toolsoptionscustom lists, enter the
range in the 'Import list from cells' box and click import...now it will
autofill like any other list Jan, Feb, Mar, etc.

--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England
www.nickhodge.co.uk
HIS


"Quality101" wrote in message
...
I have a need to use excel to track large quantities of welds on
construction
sites. These welds are identified by component and are numerically
tracked
by row and sequence (i.e., 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D....1J; 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D....2J;
etc).
There could most likely be 180-225 rows like this in a single component.
So
far, I have been unable to use Excel's auto-fill capability to prevent
from
having to enter each column individually. Any suggestions?

For what you want, not possible I think. No matter how big you make a custom
list, you will not automatically get the next in series.

Here is a different approach.

Type 1A in A1

Select cell A2 and then InsertNameDefine...
give it a name of GET_LETTER
with a Refersto value of
=MID($A1,MIN(IF(ISERROR(1*(MID($A1,ROW(INDIRECT("A 1:A"&LEN($A1))),1))),
ROW(INDIRECT("A1:A"&LEN($A1))),255)),99)
OK out

In A2 add

=MID($A1,MIN(IF(ISERROR(1*(MID($A1,ROW(INDIRECT("A 1:A"&LEN($A1))),1))),
ROW(INDIRECT("A1:A"&LEN($A1))),255)),99)

and copy A2 down as far as you want

--
HTH

Bob Phillips

(remove nothere from email address if mailing direct)

"Quality101" wrote in message
...
I have a need to use excel to track large quantities of welds on
construction
sites. These welds are identified by component and are numerically
tracked
by row and sequence (i.e., 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D....1J; 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D....2J;
etc).
There could most likely be 180-225 rows like this in a single component.
So
far, I have been unable to use Excel's auto-fill capability to prevent
from
having to enter each column individually. Any suggestions?

Sorry, the second formula should be

=IF(GET_LETTER="J",SUBSTITUTE(A1,GET_LETTER,"")+1& "A",SUBSTITUTE(A1,GET_LETT
ER,"")&CHAR(CODE(GET_LETTER)+1))

that is the one in A2 and copied down.

--
HTH

Bob Phillips

(remove nothere from email address if mailing direct)

"Quality101" wrote in message
...
I have a need to use excel to track large quantities of welds on
construction
sites. These welds are identified by component and are numerically
tracked
by row and sequence (i.e., 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D....1J; 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D....2J;
etc).
There could most likely be 180-225 rows like this in a single component.
So
far, I have been unable to use Excel's auto-fill capability to prevent
from
having to enter each column individually. Any suggestions?