Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel

Timestamp in Excel 2003

Experts - I need your advice?

I have a timestamp problem. This formula:
=IF(A1<>"",IF(B1="Date/Time Stamp",NOW(),B1),"Date/Time Stamp")
works for me. However, the formula must be populated throughtout column B to accomodate scan data entered into column A. With worksheets added for each day and hundreds of lines used in each worksheet, I reach Excel 2003 size restrictions.

Can I create or move the formula in column B down one row as I go? Can I do this with a formula instead of a macro?

Gary - Cincinnati

garyrobbinsAsked: 2011-02-15

Who is Participating?

LVL 22

rspahitzCommented: 2011-02-15

Formulas are fixed parts of cells and must be there for them to function.
To dynamically add formulas, you will need VBA.

BTW
If you move up to Word 2007/2010 (as scary as it is) the limit on the number of rows changes form 64K to about 1 million rows, which might help a bit.

LVL 31

gowflowCommented: 2011-02-16

Sorry for asking but what r u trying to acheive ? when move the formula to B. I maybe slow but did not understand your problem expect that it is obvious that you are reaching limitss and in this case nothing but the solution of 'More Limit' like rspahitz suggested could help you.

If you state clearly what is the problem then maybe we could help. Finally why not VBA ??
gowflow

garyrobbinsAuthor Commented: 2011-02-24

Turns out the reason my worksheets were growing so large was due to some formatting issue with my Master worksheet. First I tested how much capacity I was using with the data I was adding -- this was not an issue. Then I noticed the large size of my empty Master. By clicking Cntrl-End I detected that I was using the whole worksheet!! Then, by replicating this Master I quickly reached Excel 2003 limits.

I learned a lot through this issue. With your help I was able to save my design project from disaster.

Thanks for the prompt reply. I feel confident having you guys to back me up.

Gary

LVL 22

rspahitzCommented: 2011-02-24

Glad you found the answer. Excel has a lot of weird things like that, where it doesn't necessarily handle things in an optimal way (like formatting things in entire blocks) and the results can be mysterious (like large file size even if only one cell has a formula in it.)

Just one more tip, maybe not related: to get to what Excel thinks is the end of the spreadsheet (excluding formatting), use Ctrl+G then click on the Special button, the select Last Cell.

garyrobbinsAuthor Commented: 2011-02-24

rspahitz, where is this "Special" button?

LVL 22

rspahitzCommented: 2011-02-24

After Ctrl+G, bottom left corner of the window that appears you should see the Special button. From there, you have many additional options including Last Cell.

garyrobbinsAuthor Commented: 2011-02-24

Thanks for the handy tip.

On my PC, Ctrl+G opens up the VBA tool. However, I found that Edit>Go to... (or F5) got me to the GoTo screen you referenced. Lots of interesting options in that "Go to Special" box.

Thanks!