Need Help with Excell Spreadsheet and Recommendations for Keyboard

10 years ago

I am not very good with initiating an Excel spreadsheet, but am great with copying and pasting one. I have run into a problem, have done research, but can't find an answer. The problem is: I have a column with a drop-down menu box in it. The current drop-down menu contains two selections of numbers. What I want is a drop-down box with two selections - one being Y and one being N. The columns I selected from another spreadsheet had the Y/N selections, but for some reason when I pasted it into the new spreadsheet the Y/N changed to $800 each. Can any of you advise how to change those $800s to Y and N, please.

The recommendation is need is for a new keyboard. Currently have the Microsoft ergonomic keyboard which I really like. However, the "painted letters" are wearing off the keys. In fact, some of the keys no longer have letters on them. Would like recommendations for keyboards that don't have this problem. I would guess my keyboard is about 4-5 years old. This is the very first time I have had this experience with a keyboard. Some of the other keyboards I had many years without this fading away happening.

Featured Answer

Elmer J Fudd

10 years ago

Keyboards are cheap, $30 or less. Buy one with the features and touch/feel that you like.

Consider the keyboard as something akin to car tires - they have a limited life. The more you use them, the sooner they need to be replaced. Same is true of computer mice - some last, some don't, but they're cheap to replace.

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Comments (7)

WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
Original Author
10 years ago
I cross posted this.
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Go to a cell you wish to format and in the menu bar select Data, then Data Validation.

In the Settings tab, under Allow, select List and check "Ignore Blank" and "In-cell Dropdown". Under Source, enter Y,N. Select OK.

In the Input Message tab, check "Show input message when cell is selected", then enter a title and message you want the user to see when the cell is selected to prompt selection of yes or no. Select OK.

Copy the formatted cell as/where needed.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
Original Author
10 years ago
It worked like a charm, Javachik. Thank you so very, very much. I knew the key was Data Validation, but just couldn't figure out what to do. I am savings this jewel of information for later use. Again, thank you.
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a
Original Author
10 years ago
FYI, on the crosspost, anne_ct stated that she had found some self-adhesive letters at Staples that are small enough to stick on key faces. I am going to look for and try those before purchasing another keyboard, because I really like the keyboard I am using. I thought her idea was an absolutely great one. I realize keyboards aren't expensive at all, but this solution will let me continue with the one I like. Thanks for your thoughts.
User
10 years ago
Those ergonomic ones are the best out there and they've come down quite a bit in price from 4-5 years ago. If that is the board you're used to, I'd just get a new one. It's my favorite board too and I'm on my 2nd or 3rd one. :c)
WalnutCreek Zone 7b/8a thanked User
jemdandy
10 years ago
To get a keyboard with long lasting lettering, choose one whose keys have the nomenclature molded in as a depressions on the key tops. After molding, these depressions are "ink filled" and are resistant to wipe-off. If some of the ink gets lifted, these can be refilled, Sadly, most keyboards available today have smooth top keys with the lettering printed on, most likely with an ink jet printer. This is a cost reduction because most of the keys are physically the same with different printed characters. The ink eventually gets worn off on the most used keys. On my keyboard, its the "a, s, and e" keys.