how do i simply add a check box to a cell?

[Guest]

hi! bit of a novice question here...

i'd like to add a check box to an individual cell, so any time i move the
cell or alter it, the check box goes with it. i'd love to be able to format
the box as part of the cell (like align center or right justify). i don't
want the check box to do anything; i just want to be able to click it for a
check mark. from what i've seen, i'm not looking for an activeX control or
form, because those just float and i have to move them around or delete them
manually. any ideas? thanks!

 

[Dave Peterson]

How about an (easy) alternative:

Select the range
Format|cells|number tab|custom category
In the "type:" box, put this:
alt-0252;alt-0252;alt-0252;alt-0252

But hit and hold the alt key while you're typing the 0252 from the numeric
keypad.

It should look something like this when you're done.
ü;ü;ü;ü
(umlaut over the lower case u separated by semicolons)

And format that range of cells as Wingdings.

Now, no matter what you type (spacebar, x, anyoldtextatall), you'll see a check
mark.

Hit the delete key on the keyboard to clear the cell.

If you have to use that "checkmark" in later formulas:

=if(a1="","no checkmark","Yes checkmark")

 

[Guest]

thanks dave! but i'm on a laptop without a numeric keypad, and i get beeps
but no results when i try to enter alt-0252 from the main keyboard. if i just
insert the u-with-umlaut characters using the insert menu, that doesn't have
the same results you describe. do you know of another alternative? i should
also mention that i'm doing this form for end users who may not understand
when i tell them to just enter any type in the box to show the box as
clicked.

is there really no way to just insert a checkbox into a cell?

thanks again!

 

[Dave Peterson]

I don't use a laptop, but lots of times, there's an Fn key that allows you to
re-purpose other keys. But if you don't want to take the time to find that key,
you could try this:

Put this in an unused cell
=CHAR(252)&";"&CHAR(252)&";"&CHAR(252)&";"&CHAR(252)
Edit|copy
Edit|Paste special|Values
You should see:
ü;ü;ü;ü

Now select those 7 characters from the formulabar and hit ctrl-c (to copy them).
(then hit escape to get out of edit mode)

Now select the range to format.
Format|Cells|Number Tab|Custom category
Erase whatever you see in the Type box
and hit ctrl-v to paste those 7 characters in that box.

And remember to format that range with the Wingdings font.

 

[Guest]

excellent! thanks, dave! it's not EXACTLY what i was looking for, but still a
clean solution.