Can you automate Merge & Centre?

[nachtels_ghost]

Hi all,

First time posting on this site so apologies if this is in the wrong section.

I've been asked to create a construction project report for our client showing progress, this will be updated periodically. Data will be exported from another application to a data dump sheet, and this will be presented on a linked cover sheet. I'd like to automate as many of the features as possible and am hoping the community can solve a problem.

The cover sheet shows tasks in a row down the left hand side, and individual dates along the top - so far so simple. The dates are presented as year in the top row, then month, then date and then weekday. The year and month rows are presented as the cells between the start and finish dates are "merged & centred" and the relevant info typed in. The date row is linked directly to the data dump sheet, and so when the report is updated the dates will appear'/disappear accordingly. I have formatted the sheet so that the weekday in the row below each date is automatically updated.

The problem arises with updating the month and year. At present this must be done manually at each update: as they are not linked to any other data they remain static when the dates below them change. Merge and centre is used on the individual cells in the Month row above the date to match the correct start and finish date for each month, and then the month typed in. Same goes for the year.

Is there any way this can be automated on the cover sheet?

Many thanks in advance,

n_g

[AliGW]

Welcome to the forum!

Will you please attach a sample Excel workbook? We are not able to work with or manipulate a picture of one and nobody wants to have to recreate your data from scratch.

1. Make sure that your sample data are REPRESENTATIVE of your real data. The use of unrepresentative data is very frustrating and can lead to long delays in reaching a solution.

2. Make sure that your desired results are also shown (mock up the results manually).

3. Make sure that all confidential data is removed or replaced with dummy data first (e.g. names, addresses, E-mails, etc.).

4. Try to avoid using merged cells as they cause lots of problems.

Unfortunately the attachment icon doesn't work at the moment, so to attach an Excel file you have to do the following: just before posting, scroll down to Go Advanced and then scroll down to Manage Attachments. Now follow the instructions at the top of that screen.

Please pay particular attention to point 2 (above): without an idea of your intended outcomes, it is often very difficult to offer appropriate advice.

[FDibbins]

I would advise against using Merge at all, it causes all sorts problems with formulas and other functions. Most experienced users shun merge like the plague.