I'm trying to make more efficient an Excel task that involves a lot of manual entry, but the information, though many different types, is consistent once used. For example, if I type the first however-many characters of a language string (like SQL, example, and typing up until it differentiates from similar strings), I want it to fill-in the brief "layman" explanation of what it's doing.
I envision putting it on separate tab (that I will ultimately hide) and that I can transfer/copy for the hundreds of workbooks I need to complete. Think like a vlookup or index/match scenario (except doesn't put your results into a different cell, if possible) meets autofill world (except, since you "can't remember" the verbiage you used 20 workbooks ago, you're not filling in completely what you're typing, but the "layman" equivalent. A drop down won't work either, since you are typing what you are copying in front of you, but looking for what you have entered EXACTLY for that particular language string 20 workbooks ago.)
I'm thinking, on that separate interchangeable tab from workbook to workbook that have the language string in Column A, and then the layman explanation in Column B, and constantly keep adding to it. But here's the kicker: I want to have the results all in one large, text-wrapped cell, and like SQL language that is separated by parentheses for specific actions, but CONNECTED by And's (&) and Or's (|), I want the layman explanations to read the same way. (?) are 'is", (~) is "contains", (!) is "not".
For example, this is what I'm typing (essentially the info from my hypothetical Column A): sec_class~('CP') & sec_group!?('XYZ') to fill-in from the hidden worksheet, from Column B, (Sec Class contains CP) AND (Sec Group is not XYZ). So, see below what I'm thinking for Col A and Col B entries (unless you can think of a better system):
Col A Col B
sec_class~('CP') (Sec Class contains CP)
& AND (with spaces on each side of the AND for legibility)
sec_group!?('XYZ') (Sec Group is not XYZ)
Now that I'm thinking about the functionality and limitations of Excel (prove me wrong, experts!), I may have to type the language in one area, and have the results (layman explanation) end up in my ultimate large, text-wrapped cell (THE ONE THAT WILL BE VIEWED). This can be on the same page off to the side, or on an "Entry" tab (perfect world I'd love to have in the same cell if feasible).
Appreciate!
BWR
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