alphabetical colums

[Old Bob]

I have an alphabetical list of songs in two colums-one for title and one for
artist. The list now is way too long (400 pages). Is there an easy way to
make this list in 4 colums and still keep it alphabetical?

 

[Dave Peterson]

If you're only using it as a list (no formulas), I'd copy and paste into
MSWord. Then you can use its formatting/sorting capability.

 

[Old Bob]

Thanks Dave, I do not know much about word's sorting and formatting but I can
learn. I am a DJ and these are song books I print for the clients and 400
pages are way too much. Are there any simple instructions you can give me to
get me started after I get the data into word or do I just have to tough it
out through the work help? I would like a section for each letter and was
unaware word would sort.

 

[Dave Peterson]

Copy the two columns in your excel workbook.
Paste into a new document in MSWord.
Select a cell in that MSWord table
Format|Columns and choose 4 (or what you want)

Depending on how things fit, you may have to change margins/font size/column
widths/space between columns and maybe orientation (landscape???).

Any time you want to insert a new row, just select an existing row, and
rightclick on the selection and choose Insert|Row.

You can be nice and insert it where it needs to be -- or you can sort the table
after all the inserting is done. That can be found under Table|sort.

(I used Office 2003 for my menus.)

===
In fact, if you like to do the typing in excel, you can keep it a nice 2 column
list, insert/sort as much as you want. Then just copy|paste and format in
MSWord before you print.

Thanks Dave, I do not know much about word's sorting and formatting but I can
learn. I am a DJ and these are song books I print for the clients and 400
pages are way too much. Are there any simple instructions you can give me to
get me started after I get the data into word or do I just have to tough it
out through the work help? I would like a section for each letter and was
unaware word would sort.

 

[Old Bob]

true true but I do have a 1 inch top and bottom margin and print in 14 font...

 

[Old Bob]

Thanks again. I do prefer excel but I will start to train in word too and
the formatting of columns. Your getting me started is much appreciated.

 

[Pete_UK]

I think "pages" refer to printed pages, and with, say, 50 to a page
that equates to 20,000 records - still a lot of songs !! <bg>

Pete

 

[Dave Peterson]

David McRitchie has a macro that will "snake" the columns.
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/snakecol.htm

If you're new to macros, you may want to read David McRitchie's intro at:
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm

Thanks again. I do prefer excel but I will start to train in word too and
the formatting of columns. Your getting me started is much appreciated.

 

[Old Bob]

Thanks--my reading and I seems to be cut out for me...

 

[Old Bob]

When I copy and pase my name column and artist column into word it goes fine.
then I select format>columns and select 4 and it only brings up into the
four columns the names only in four columns and not name, artist, name
artist. What am I doing wrong? I do have an older version of word 2000

 

[Gord Dibben]

See my reply for a macro.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Dave Peterson]

I don't know. It creates 4 columns (2 cells in each column) for me.

I use xl2003, but I don't think there's a difference.

When I copy and pase my name column and artist column into word it goes fine.
then I select format>columns and select 4 and it only brings up into the
four columns the names only in four columns and not name, artist, name
artist. What am I doing wrong? I do have an older version of word 2000
--
Old Bob

David McRitchie has a macro that will "snake" the columns.
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/snakecol.htm

If you're new to macros, you may want to read David McRitchie's intro at:
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm

 

[Old Bob]

Where is your reply for the macro?
--
Old Bob

See my reply for a macro.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

 

[Old Bob]

I found it but I am not technical enough to do a macro as I do not know where
to start. Sorry about the two posts but I did not know which forum to put my
problme in.

 

[Old Bob]

You are correct, I was adding four columns thinking wrong. When I selected
2 columns it did work..something so simple. Thanks so much
--
Old Bob

I don't know. It creates 4 columns (2 cells in each column) for me.

I use xl2003, but I don't think there's a difference.

When I copy and pase my name column and artist column into word it goes fine.
then I select format>columns and select 4 and it only brings up into the
four columns the names only in four columns and not name, artist, name
artist. What am I doing wrong? I do have an older version of word 2000