Excel formatting question?

Question

I am using an Excel sheet at work with multiple pages, to log data. It was set up for me by someone else and all I need to do is enter the info.

Along the way, I have learned some of the basics about formatting, but my tech knowledge is quite limited.

Is it possible to make changes in the formatitng, such as with the rows and columns - width, height, number of - but to preserve that data which has been already entered as it is?

When I started with this log, certain information was being entered. Midstream additional information was requested to be added from that point forward, which meant a change in format.

The only way I knew how to accomplish this was to save one worksheet and begin anew with the revised format. Is there a way to combine them?

I think it is important for me to reiterate that I am trying to reformat a sheet - but preserve in it's original format information that has already been entered.

What I am trying to do is combine 2 formats on one page.

Answer 1

If the only difference between the old format and the new format is that the new format has more columns or rows, then it's not too bad:
- open the file with the old format
- insert new columns (or rows) to accomodate the data that you started tracking midstream; after this step the "old format" should look very much like the "new format"
- copy and paste all the data, including the new data, from the new format to the old format.

It's hard to say any more without seeing the files. Add more detail, or e-mail if you need more info.
Cheers.
.

Answer 2

Yes you can combine them. When you format an area by selecting:

Format > Cells...

It only formats the portion that you select. The same goes when you format the Row Height and Column Width. Only the rows or columns you select will be affected.

To format Row height:

Format > Row > Height

To format Column width:

Format > Column width:

If you want a certain group of cells to be formatted exactly the same as another group of cells, a quick way to do it is with the Format Painter. The format painter button looks like a paint brush. Select the group of cells that you want the 2nd bunch to be formatted like. Then click the format painter button. The select the 2nd group of cells and WALLAH! you're done.

There are other ways of going about formatting. If you want to create new sheets that have exactly the same formatting as the old sheet. Right click the tab, then copy the worksheet. The formatting will stay the same. Then you can delete out any old data you don't need and save a blank form of it for copying for entering new entries. Or after you are making it a blank form and you create a new workbook each time you can save the workbook as a template for entering new data. By going to:

File > Save As...

Then changing "Save as Type" to Template.

Answer 3

Yes of course..you can make changes in the sheet itself..you can insert columns or a cell, you can set the height and width. Open a blank sheet and practice the commands..you can click Format..you can see all the things that you can do there..¤¤