Excel: Inserting many Horizontal rows in same Cell

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenge of inserting multiple horizontal rows of text into a single cell in Excel. Participants explore various methods and approaches to achieve this, including the use of keyboard shortcuts and formulas. The conversation includes both technical explanations and practical examples.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration in finding a method to insert multiple horizontal rows into a single Excel cell.
  • Another participant questions the necessity of the task, prompting a clarification about the need to compile text from multiple cells into one.
  • Participants discuss the use of "Alt + Enter" as a potential solution for inserting line breaks within a cell.
  • A suggestion is made to merge cells as an alternative approach, though one participant expresses a dislike for merging cells.
  • One participant shares a successful method of copying text from a Word document into Excel, indicating that it worked for their needs.
  • Another participant proposes using a formula to concatenate text from multiple cells, mentioning the use of ASCII codes for line breaks, while noting that their approach is based on LibreOffice Calc, which may differ from Excel.
  • There is a suggestion for creating a subforum or sticky thread for Excel tips, reflecting a desire for more structured discussion on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of methods and opinions, with no clear consensus on the best approach to achieve the desired outcome of inserting multiple rows into a single cell. Some methods are proposed as potential solutions, but the effectiveness of these methods remains subject to individual experience and context.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention different software (Excel vs. LibreOffice Calc), which may affect the applicability of certain solutions. There are also varying levels of comfort with techniques like merging cells and using keyboard shortcuts.

WWGD
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Hi all,
I have been trying unsuccessfully to figure out how to insert many horizontal rows into the same
cell in Excel: I have gone over many sites, asked people, all sorts of key combinations, without success.
Any ideas you know work, please?
Thanks.
 
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LOL. Why?
 
berkeman said:
LOL. Why?
I need to produce a doc for a client that requires content in different cells/rows be pasted into a single cell.
 
WWGD said:
I need to produce a doc for a client that requires content in different cells/rows be pasted into a single cell.
Text content, or a text version of the calculations for those cells? Multiple cell structures are not compatible with a single cell''s structure, AFAIK
 
berkeman said:
Text content, or a text version of the calculations for those cells? Multiple cell structures are not compatible with a single cell''s structure, AFAIK
No, say you have text content in cells , say, D4, D5, D6 , and you want all of this written into cell D9, as three horizontal rows, i.e., D9 will contain:

EDIT:
(content of)D4
(Content of)D5
(Content of)D6
within it; three horizontal text rows falling into cell D9 .

Say we have
D4: Today I went
D5: Downtown for a drink
D6 And I left at around 5.

And we want to end up with :
Today I went
Downtown for a drink
And I left at around 5

all in cell D9, or anyone other cell.
 
Can you make it a different column? Can you give an example? Shoud be pretty easy...
 
berkeman said:
Can you make it a different column? Can you give an example? Shoud be pretty easy...
Sorry, just edited , please see above.
 
No comprendo

Can you post a PDF of your spreadsheet? Use PrimoPDF or another free PDF writer...
 
Ok, please see address on top : I would like address to fit in a single cell:

upload_2017-11-24_20-19-18.png
 

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  • #10
So : Safety Lock
1713 Second Avenue
New York...All fitting in a single cell in Excel.
 
  • #11
ummm...

maybe I'm not reading this right...

doesn't "alt + enter" get you there?

Or just put them in many vertical cells and then merge the cells at the end. (I used to hate merge cells back when I used excel a lot but every now and then you actually needed it.)
 
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  • #12
Thanks all,
In case anyone is interested, this worked
I had the text written in a Word document, copied it there, then pasted it into : "Cell Indicator":

upload_2017-11-24_20-51-34.png


i.e., where the "fx" is.
 

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  • #13
Another approach is to set up a cell to concatenate text contained in source columns like so.
Caveat: I'm using LibreOffice Calc; Excel formulas can be somewhat different.

In this example cells A1 through E1 contain elements of the postal address, and cell F2 contains the formula.
  • ASC(cell) returns the specified cell's text value.
  • & is used to tie individual text strings together.
  • CHAR(10) is the ASCII code value for LF (line feed/new line). This is what the Alt-Enter key combo does.

Combine_text1.jpg
To separate "City" and "State" fields with a comma, substitute a comma for the appropriate line feed.
Combine_text2.jpg
 

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  • #14
Asymptotic said:
Another approach is to set up a cell to concatenate text contained in source columns like so.
Caveat: I'm using LibreOffice Calc; Excel formulas can be somewhat different.

In this example cells A1 through E1 contain elements of the postal address, and cell F2 contains the formula.
  • ASC(cell) returns the specified cell's text value.
  • & is used to tie individual text strings together.
  • CHAR(10) is the ASCII code value for LF (line feed/new line). This is what the Alt-Enter key combo does.

View attachment 215684To separate "City" and "State" fields with a comma, substitute a comma for the appropriate line feed.
View attachment 215685
Excellent, man, thanks!. I would even suggest a new subforum for Excel, given how many people use it , and how versatile it can be.
 
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  • #15
WWGD said:
Excellent, man, thanks!. I would even suggest a new subforum for Excel, given how many people use it , and how versatile it can be.
It was a pleasure. Don't know that Excel rates a sub-forum, but perhaps rather a sticky thread for sharing tips on how Excel and other spreadsheets can be used in technical and scientific applications.
 

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