For example, if I would like to designate a specific cell for people to enter
in a certain piece of information (such as their name), can I have the cell
display "Name" whenever it is blank, so that people know to enter their name
in that cell?

If the cell contains the word "name" it will not be blank.

I would suggest using Format>Conditional Formatting for the cell.

Cell Value is: equal to =""

Format to a color and instruct user to enter a name in that colored cell.

When user enters their name, the color will disappear.

Watch out for Excel helping you with the =""

Sometimes it will add an extra ""


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP


On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:32:01 -0700, Izo <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>For example, if I would like to designate a specific cell for people to enter
>in a certain piece of information (such as their name), can I have the cell
>display "Name" whenever it is blank, so that people know to enter their name
>in that cell?

Check out this link...

http://j-walk.com/ss/excel/odd/odd04.htm
--
HTH...

Jim Thomlinson


"Izo" wrote:

> For example, if I would like to designate a specific cell for people to enter
> in a certain piece of information (such as their name), can I have the cell
> display "Name" whenever it is blank, so that people know to enter their name
> in that cell?

I guess I'm looking for a way to show a label in a cell when there is no
data entered into the cell. Thank you for the response anyway.

"Gord Dibben" wrote:

> If the cell contains the word "name" it will not be blank.
>
> I would suggest using Format>Conditional Formatting for the cell.
>
> Cell Value is: equal to =""
>
> Format to a color and instruct user to enter a name in that colored cell.
>
> When user enters their name, the color will disappear.
>
> Watch out for Excel helping you with the =""
>
> Sometimes it will add an extra ""
>
>
> Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP
>
>
> On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:32:01 -0700, Izo <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >For example, if I would like to designate a specific cell for people to enter
> >in a certain piece of information (such as their name), can I have the cell
> >display "Name" whenever it is blank, so that people know to enter their name
> >in that cell?
>
>

> I guess I'm looking for a way to show a label in a cell when there is
> no data entered into the cell.

This isn't quite what you asked for, but maybe it'll suit the need. It
works if the data to be entered is always text; never a number or a date.

Format the cell with the custom number format:
"[Name]";"[Name]";"[Name]"
To initialize the spreadsheet, type a number in the cell. Then, it'll show
"[Name]" until text is entered that isn't a number or a date.
If somebody selects the cell and hits the Delete key, the cell contents
will disappear... :-(