formula for automatic numbering the records

[Guest]

sure the way is so easy, but i'm a beginner who do not enough time to try and
solve.
problem is..

coloumn B contains names. coloumn A numbering the recorded names.
i would like to insert a formula for auto numbering.
for example if there is nothing in B7, A7 empty.
and if B8 is contains data A8 should be A6+1.

thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Jean-Yves]

Hi Taco,

formula in col A1 : =IF(B1<>"",ROW(B1),"")
and Fill Down

Regards,
Jean-Yves

 

[Nikos Yannacopoulos]

Taco,

I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with Jean-Yves. His solution won't produce
consecutive numbers, it will skip numbers of rows with blank cells in column
B.

Assuming your list of names starts in row 2, try this formula in A2, then
copy down:

=IF(NOT(ISBLANK(B2)),COUNTA(B$2:B2),"")

If your list starts in a different row just paste the formula in column A in
that row, and change the 2's to the row number.

HTH,
Nikos

 

[Jean-Yves]

Hi Nikos,

It is not necessary to produce consecutive number IMHO, but to get an ID
number.
Your solution provides a variable ID if any entry is cleared. Note that my
solution does not works as well if a row is deleted. Should think of a
macro to write a unique value at run time.
Regards,

Jean-Yves

 

[Tom Ogilvy]

The OP did show consecutive numbers as part of the requirement:

 

[Jean-Yves]

Hello,

I should not try to put my own perception on this. Correct.

But what is the meaning of OP, please ?
Regards

Jean-Yves

 

[Guest]

thank you very much Jean Yves and Nikos

Nikos, your formula is great..

 

[Nikos Yannacopoulos]

Jean-Yves,

OP stands for Original Posting. I still haven't been able to decypher some
of the other acronyms frequently used in the NGs yet, though!

Regards,
Nikos