Inserting a dash in blank cells

[UT]

I want to insert a dash if a cell has no data. When I tried the "IF" function
it gives a circular reference error.

Is there another way to do this?

Thanks

 

[T. Valko]

Select the range of cells where you want this to happen
Hit function key F5
Click Special>Blanks>OK
Type a dash then hold down the CTRL key then hit Enter

 

[UT]

Hi Biff,

Your solution works but is there a way to insert a special character like a
dash automatically when a cell(s) is blank instead of first selecting cells
and doing a manual insert?

 

[T. Valko]

Sounds like you'll need some kind of macro but it depends on what you mean
by automatically. I'd suggest you post in the programming forum.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Where will these blank cells reside?

I'm sure you don't mean all blank cells on a worksheet.

Within some range? Why are they blank and in need of a dash?

To have something like that automatically would require some type of event
code or a formula like this entered in C1

=IF(AND(A1<>"",B1<>""),A1*B1,"-")


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP