Automatically inserting text into cells which already contain text

[Lloyd_Hanson]

Version: v.X Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) Processor: Intel I need to insert a particular text into the same selected cells in 145 separate rows. The selected cells already have text within them and I need to insert the new text at the beginning of each cell without damaging the text already in the cell.

 

[TheRedOak]

One way to do this is to use the ampersand as follows:

if A1 = dogs, then in B1 enter:
="Cats and "&A1

This will result in B1 being equal to:
Cats and dogs

So the original text (dogs) is not changed and the new text is added before it.

Does this answer your question?

You can copy or drag down the formula to handle all 145 rows.

Does this answer your question?

 

[CyberTaz]

Not the most elegant solution but if I understand correctly [it's the same
text that needs to be inserted into each of the other 145 cells & those
cells are consecutive cells in the same column] it should work;

Using the example that the existing 145 entries begin in cell A1 & that
column B is available, enter the new text into any cell as long as it won't
be in the way of column B. (I'm using D1 in the example.)

In cell B1 enter the formula: =CONCATENATE($D$1,A1)

Note: The $ is necessary for an Absolute reference to D1, do not include it
in the reference to A1 because that needs to change as you...

Copy the formula down column B as far as necessary.

Note: If you need any characters ‹ such as a space ‹ included between the
new content & the old, just add another argument to the formula, such as:

=CONCATENATE($D$1," ",A1)

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[CyberTaz]

P.S. - I neglected to add that if you want the new entries in the location
of the originals;

Select & copy the new data,
Select the cells containing the original data,
Use Edit> Paste Special - Values

You can then clear the cells the formulas occupied.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac