insert row and automatically generate field in new row

  • Thread starter Thread starter JStange
  • Start date Start date
J

JStange

I have a project plan that I'm storing in Excel. There are IDs assigned to
tasks that are alphabetical and numerical. For example:

A-1, A-2, A-3...

When a new row is insterted, is there a way to automatically generate the
next ID for the new task?

Thanks for any help that can be provided!
 
The way this is normally done is to add a Control Button to the worksheet
that will do the insert operation. The control button will run a macro that
will insert and add the New ID Number.
 
The function you may want to look into is the builtin LIST function. An Excel
"list" copies down the formulas from the last row whenever you start a new
entry in your list. You would need to make your ID numbers formulaic.

For instance, use a custom Number format for column A. You enter a 1 in cell
A2 and then format the cell using custom Number format:

"A-"#

So the cell value is really only 1, but it displays as A-1.

Now in cell A3, use a formula to increment:

=A2+1

If you apply the same custum number format, it will display as A-2.

Copy that down to the rest of your current/existing entries.

Now, activate the LIST. Highlight the ENTIRE table of data, including the
row of "titles" usually found at the top.

Then press CTRL-L and the Create List box will appear.
Click on [x] My list has headers, then OK.

A blue box will appear around your table of data indicating the LIST is
active.

At the bottom of the list you will see a * in the empty row, if you type
data in any of the cells, all formulas from the remaining cells above will
copy down and that row will become a permanent part of the "list".

Give it a try, or read up on it.
 

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