Microsoft KB Archive/213440

= XL2000: Visual Basic Macros That Add or Remove Hidden Apostrophes =

Article ID: 213440

Article Last Modified on 11/23/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q213440





SUMMARY
You can use a Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications macro to change a formula or a value to text and vice-versa. To change a formula or value to text, run a macro that adds a hidden leading apostrophe in front of the formula or value. To restore the formula or value, run a macro that removes the apostrophe.

This article contains a sample macro that changes formulas or values in cells to text by adding hidden apostrophes, and it also contains a sample macro that reverses this process.



MORE INFORMATION
Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

https://partner.microsoft.com/global/30000104

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

In Microsoft Excel, you cannot view the formulas in a worksheet in one area of the worksheet and the results of the formulas in another area. Instead, you must edit the formulas so that they appear in text format. To do so, insert an apostrophe in front of the equal sign (=) of the formula. An efficient way to do this is to use a Visual Basic for Applications macro.

Note that cells in which apostrophes are the first character are not affected by this procedure.

The following procedure adds an apostrophe in front of text, values, or formulas in the current selection: 'Appends hidden apostrophe as first character. 'Works on cells with formulas, text, or values. 'Excellent for displaying formulas when printing. Sub ApostroPut For Each currentcell In Selection 'Prevents inserting apostrophes in blank cells. If currentcell.Formula <> "" Then currentcell.Formula = "'" & currentcell.Formula End If   Next End Sub The following procedure removes the apostrophe in front of text, values, or formulas in the current selection: 'Removes hidden apostrophes that are first characters. 'Works on cells with formulas, text, or values. Sub ApostroRemove For Each currentcell In Selection If currentcell.HasFormula = False Then 'Verifies that procedure does not change the 'cell with the active formula so that it contains 'only the value. currentcell.Formula = currentcell.Value End If   Next End Sub NOTE: You can restore a value that you changed to text by copying the number 1, selecting the cells that contain the text that you want to restore, and using the Paste Special command on the Edit menu with the multiplication operation.

