use symbols in a formula

[kit]

Hi
Doing an autonmated worksheet for schoolkids.
I have a worksheet with division sums etc set out that
they complete. If correct I want to insert a smiley if
wrong unsmiley next to their answer.
Did this with an If function with the inserted value as a
wing ding for smiley etc. However in the worksheet cell a
black dot is added whatevever wing ding character is added.
I assume this is to do with the cell holding the formula
being formatted for wingdings?
If I use a word in arial the IF formula works OK.
Anyone know of a workaround, or a more elegant solution?
Thanks
Busy Teacher!

 

[Andy B]

kit

I recreated your scenario on my system (Win98SE and Office2K) and it works
fine for me. When you say 'a black dot is added' do you mean when the cell
should be empty (before an answer is input) or when it displays the
smiley/unsmiley?

Andy

 

[Paul]

Hi
Doing an autonmated worksheet for schoolkids.
I have a worksheet with division sums etc set out that
they complete. If correct I want to insert a smiley if
wrong unsmiley next to their answer.
Did this with an If function with the inserted value as a
wing ding for smiley etc. However in the worksheet cell a
black dot is added whatevever wing ding character is added.
I assume this is to do with the cell holding the formula
being formatted for wingdings?
If I use a word in arial the IF formula works OK.
Anyone know of a workaround, or a more elegant solution?
Thanks
Busy Teacher!

When posting, it's always helpful to quote the formula you are using.
Suppose the answer you wanted to see in A1 was 2.
Put this formula in B1:
=IF(A1=2,"J","L")
and check that it's working.
Then format B1 to use the Wingdings font and you should get smiley/unsmiley
instead of J and L.

 

[Paul Falla]

Hi Kit
You don't say which version of Excel you are using. I have
tried this in Excel 2000 and can get it to work using cell
formatting EG a1=1st number, b1 shows "X", C1 shows 2nd
value, D1 left blank for the childs answer, e1 shows the
formula =IF(d1="","",IF(a1*c1=d1,"J","L")) - Now format
the cells in column e1 to have the font as wingdings,
colur of your choice, size of your choice etc. This should
hopefully do the trick.