Excel format question 2

[eit09]

I am trying to type letters with ^ or - symbols directly above desired letters. In the insert function I am unable to find what I need. Does anyone know how to add these marks above text using Excel?? Or is it even possible?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[cowski]

Try using character map (Start -> programs -> Accessories -> System tools -> Character map) to insert special characters (the Arial font supports many such special characters, also try other popular fonts).

Otherwise you will need to install a font that has the characters you need.

 

[Denial]

For some pre-determined accented characters, you can type them more directly (but much less user friendly-ly) by entering their ANSI codes. While holding down the Alt-key, type the four-digit number on the NUMERIC keypad. For example:
» Alt-0234 gets you e-circumflex (ê)
» Alt-0219 gets you U-circumflex (Û)
» Alt-0187 gets you a left chevron (»)

This is harder work in some ways, but there are some contexts in Excel where it is the only way to get such characters. Entering them into strings that form parts of formulæ (alt-0230) for example.

 

[RWF7437]

Denial's suggestion works well for some symbols too. For example, I often use <alt> 248 to get the degree symbol: °.

By the way I think these are called, extended ASCII characters, rather than ANSI.

good luck ?? ? °

 

[TomBarsh]

There is also the MS Office Formula Writer. This allows embedding mathematical formulas into the worksheet, with integrals, Reimann sums, super- and subscripts, vector arrows, etc. This is a special version of the MathType software. It is not "live" like MathCAD is but is a very nice publishing package.

 

[FrenchCAD]

http://www.asciitable.com

will give you all those shortcuts

an other solution would be to get a french keyboard (or enable French keyboard on your windows language bar) as most of those letters are on the French keyboard. Beware it would be an azerty one though.

Cyril Guichard
Defense Program Manager
Belgium

 

[Denial]

FrenchCAD,

In the Excel environment at least, it is less simple (but more powerful) than your referenced web site suggests. To give an example:
» If I enter alt-0200 I get E-acute (È).
» If I enter alt-200 I get a corner character (?).
So the repertoire of available characters is larger.

I've never really understood what is going on here. Is it (pursuing RWF7437's comment above) the difference between ANSI and ASCII?

 

[Denial]

Oops.
I've just become acutely aware that I made a grave mistake.
Je ne parle pas le Français muy bueno.

 

[FrenchCAD]

There is no explaination about this on asciitable.com, but you have access to both the ANSI table and Windows codepage 1252 (Latin-1) which reference the characters codes

http://ascii-table.com/ansi-table.php

http://ascii-table.com/codepage.php?1252

Cyril Guichard
Defense Program Manager
Belgium

 

[eit09]

Thanks for all the input as it will come in handy down the line! I am trying to put ^ & or - directly above the letter b, alpha symbol, and epsilon symbol. I looked through the Greek, Arial, and French characters but did not find what I need. Although the ASCII table is handy it does not have what I am looking for. Any other suggestions??

 

[FrenchCAD]

I am not sure you will have any mean to do this in Excel, except maybe via the equation editor

Cyril Guichard
Defense Program Manager
Belgium

 

[eit09]

Ok. Thanks for all your posts Sounds like the best way is to use ms words equation editor and paste into excell.

 

[TomBarsh]

You should be able to use the equation editor directly in Excel. Go to the Insert menu, select Object, then select the Microsoft Equation editor from the list of objects and click "OK". The steps may vary depending upon your version of Excel.

The editor will open as a dotted line box in the Excel sheet and a toolbar. Select the mathematical formula characteristics from the toolbar. You can build very complex formulas by adding characteristics.

It's easier to use the full MathType software but the Microsoft version is okay.

 

[MechEng2005]

FYI - The "Alt+###" characters can also be entered by inserting "=char(###)" in the cell. I don't believe there is any difference. Also, if you put "=char(283)" in a cell to get the degree symbol, then format the cell as text, the degree symbol is just a symbol, rather than the formula you entered. The symbol itself can then be copied and pasted.

-- MechEng2005