Business Solutions: Excel-Fill in the Blank Forms-On Demand
By James D. Duncan, CPA

      Want a real quick fill in the blank form that will put data in the columns you define. You do not need a macro or any VBA special code. This feature is built into Excel. I am using Excel 2003.
      Enter the column heading you want to be used in the form. These can be placed anywhere on the form. This technique will work by making multiple forms for you all over the form. Here is a sample to start with.

 

 

Now select Data, Form… and I got the following message.

The message says you can create a label that will not give you this message but I did not get it to work so just clicked on the OK button. If anyone knows the trick please email me. The next screen looks like this.

       You can now enter the Name, press tab, Phone, press tab and so on until you get to New. Just press Enter and you move to the next row or record. Or any time you press Enter the form moves to a new record. Takes just a little practice to get used to not pressing the Enter key until you are finished with that row. You will see the information fill in on the sheet as you go. Press Close when you are finished.
      You can go back and add to the list by clicking in the header line and selecting date and form again. After you have worked with the form a little you can try the Find Next, Find Prev and Criteria buttons. I found the Criteria will find names containing a “y” by clicking on Criteria, entering a “*y” in the name field and clicking on Find Next. Look in help for “data form”. Lot of information there about creating the form and what characters to use in criteria.



       Nice built in tool to let Excel do the move up, move down and left and right for you.
      Try it and see what you think. Excel has so many built in features that many things are possible if we only look around. I am always finding things that are already inside this product.
      Pass your expertise forward. Help you friends with their projects. Share your time with an organization or two and you will expand your expertise. Build it, use it, share it and show everyone how to do it. You will surprise yourself and what you can do when you start a “little” help project.

James is a member of the CCOKC and an expert in Access and Excel. Click here to reach James