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Split an Excel cell and enter two pieces of information.


Q. I've seen spreadsheets that contained a cell with a slash mark (/) dividing it so it could contain two different pieces of information--for example, a number on one side of the slash and another number or a word on the other side. How can I do that?

A. Oddly enough, it's done with the Format command as a display function; and for that reason it's not the kind of data Excel can calculate. Let's say you want a cell to contain two words, High and Low, separated by a slash. Begin by putting your cursor (1) The symbol used to point to some element on screen. On Windows, Mac and other graphics-based screens, it is also called a "pointer," and it changes shape as it is moved with the mouse into different areas of the application.  in the target cell and click on Format, Cells and Border and then select the diagonal box in which the slash mark rises from the lower left to the upper right (see screenshot See screen shot.  below).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Type your two words into the cell--High and Low. The words also will appear on top of your screen in the Formula box (see screenshot below).

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Once the words and the diagonal are in the cell, you have to adjust the position of the words: move High up and Low down. To do that, highlight the word you want at the top of the cell--High--and click on Format, Cells and then on the Font tab. Now, under Effects, click on Superscript Any letter, digit or symbol that appears above the line. For example, 10 to the 9th power is written with the 9 in superscript (109). Contrast with subscript. ; notice when you click on it, the letters in the adjacent Preview box move up. Click on OK.

Do the same with the word Low. Only this time, when you get to Effects, click on Subscript (1) In word processing and scientific notation, a digit or symbol that appears below the line; for example, H2O, the symbol for water. Contrast with superscript.

(2) In programming, a method for referencing data in a table.
 and the Preview letters will move down. You'll probably have to tinker a bit with the position of the words in the Formula box to get them to line up properly.

STANLEY ZAROWIN, a former JofA senior editor, is now a contributing editor A contributing editor is a magazine job title that varies in responsibilities. Most often, a contributing editor is a freelancer who has proven ability and readership draw.  to the magazine. His e-mail address See Internet address.

e-mail address - electronic mail address
 is zarowin@mindspring.com.
COPYRIGHT 2004 American Institute of CPA's
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2004, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Title Annotation:Technology Q&A
Author:Zarowin, Stanley
Publication:Journal of Accountancy
Date:Jul 1, 2004
Words:303
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