Important data in Microsoft Excel is not just numbers and formulas but also text. Whether the text is a column heading or a important data element, Excel includes many ways to improve the layout, appearance, and value of text.
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Formatting Text Cells
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If you are having problems sorting or filtering data lists, one of the reasons may be that some data in a column is formatted as text and some as numbers. In an ascending sort order, numbers and punctuation will sort before text. For instance, entries of 22, 1111, 33 would sort as 22, 333, 1111 if formatted as a number, and 1111, 22, 333 if formatted as text (left-to-right).
You will get inconsistent results when a aggregate of formats exists. The Text format is also needed for data that includes a fixed whole of places or prominent zeros such as 0001234.
One plus in Excel is you can format cells prior to entering data. This is true for text as well as numbers. To format whole columns for text entry, feature the column(s), then right-click on the column and select Format Cells. Next, pick the Number tab from the dialog box, and then plump the Text format, discontinue with Ok. In Excel 2010 and Excel 2007, the Text alignment selection is also found on the Home tab (Alignment group) of the Ribbon. Apply the Text format to existing cells as well for good sorting and filtering results.
When Formatting Doesn't Work
To convert a singular entry to a text format, type an apostrophe (') in front of the data.
Combining Two or More Cells (Sounds Like Cat)
Existing data may not be formatted exactly the way you need. For example, if laborer names are in 2 columns, Last Name and First Name, but you want to display a full name for reporting as in Last Name, First Name (Smith, Joe) there are any ways to do this. In the following examples, Column B is Last Name and Column C is First Name. To originate the Full Name in Column D, the recipe would be similar to (either example works):
=Concatenate(B2,", ",C2) <----- Concatenate is a function that "combines"; supplementary text like the comma is included in quotations.
=B2 & ", " & C2 <----- the & also combines the values in cells B2 and C2.
Another Use of the Ampersand (&) in Excel and Access
In the above example, the ampersand (&) is a character that is used to incorporate or add manifold entries.
In Excel as well as Microsoft Access, the & is also part of special codes which means that a singular ampersand won't work in most text entries (the consequent is _ instead). To use an ampersand in a header, footer, or label in Excel or Access, type 2 ampersands, such as Tips && Tricks. Neat trick!
Wrapping Text
For manifold line entries of labels, comments, notes, or descriptions in Microsoft Excel, plump the cells (or an whole row or column), right-click on the selection and select Format Cells, pick the Alignment Tab, and check the selection for Wrap Text, discontinue with Ok. In Excel 2010 and Excel 2007, Wrap Text is also found on the Home tab of the Ribbon. The column width will settle how many lines are needed to display the text. select this over manifold rows for lengthy text entries for greater readability and for any lists of data. Once text is formatted to enable wrapping, you can supplementary control the layout by pressing [Alt] + [Enter] to force a line break or new line within the same cell.
Try these tips, tricks, and shortcuts to master your text entry in Microsoft Excel.
Microsoft Excel - Tips for Working with Text
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