How do I show a multiplication sign in front of a number

  • Thread starter accounting beginner
  • Start date
A

accounting beginner

In an accounting spread sheet I need to set up three cells to show a
calculation in a specific way. The first cell is the first number to be
multiplied. The second cell is supposed to have the multiplication symbol
and the number to multply by. The third cell is to be a formula cell in
which the multiplication takes place and the results are shown. I don't
understand how my accounting teacher expects me to make the second cell. If
I show the multiplication number then the formula cell is messed up. Does
anyone have a suggestion. I thought about putting the multiplication sign
off in its own cell but the teacher told us it should only take up three
cells.
 
M

Max

Suggest you put the numbers into cols A and B, and have the formula in the
adjacent column C

For example:

Input in A2: 10, input in B2: 20,
then put in C2: =A2*B2

C2 will return 200

If you have yet other pairs of numbers in A3:B3, A4:B4, etc to be similarly
calculated, just copy C2 down to return the corresponding results
 
V

Viff

Hi!

This really doesn't make any sense, but:

A1 = 10
B1 = * 5

=A1*SUBSTITUTE(B1,"*","")

=A1*MID(B1,2,255)

Biff
 
A

accounting beginner

What I am trying to have it look like in the end is a little different. I
probably didn't explain it very well the first time. What did first was
input A1: 200, B1: $2.00, and C1: =A1*B1. The thing works but the teacher
says I need to figure out how to make B1 look like "X $2.00" and still
have the C1 formula work properly and not give a #VALUE! error. It is
supposed to look like a typical vertical multiplication normally done on
paper the old fashioned way.

Does anyone know a way to make this work?
 
B

Biff

This really doesn't make any sense

On second thought, maybe it's just an exercise to see if
you can figure out how to do it!

Figure it out yet? <g>

Biff
 
A

accounting beginner

Thank you! Both work well.

Viff said:
Hi!

This really doesn't make any sense, but:

A1 = 10
B1 = * 5

=A1*SUBSTITUTE(B1,"*","")

=A1*MID(B1,2,255)

Biff
Click to expand...
 
M

Max

Along the same lines as Biff suggested,
if you're required to input in B1 a text-phrase, say: X $2.00
then you could have in C1: =A1*SUBSTITUTE(B1,"X $","")
 
D

Duke Carey

You can use a custom number format that shows the second value with a leading
asterisk/space combination : "* "0. Excel still sees a number in the cell
and you can use it in formulas that add/subtract/multiply/divide/etc

If you haven't ever used custom number formats, follow these steps:

1) select the cell with the second number
2) press Ctrl-1
3) select the Number tab in the dialog box that comes up
4) choose Custom from the bottom of the left hand list
5) in the Type line at the right, enter a double quote asterisk space double
quote
6) click on OK
 
S

swatsp0p

Duke is on the right track with the formatting option, however a slight
adjustment will show your number better. In the Custom Format, enter this
(copy/paste if you want):

""X $""#.00

Now an entry of 2 will return X $2.00

an entry of 15.75 will return X $15.75

A1*B1 in cell C1 will return the correct value. Format C1 as $


HTH
 
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