How do I make a cell with vertical lines for number entry?

[Guest Russ]

Remember those tests in school where you used a #2 pencil and had to

enter each number in its separate cell? So if you enter 123456 they

had lines between them. How would I make a cell that has room for six

digits? I have a form I print out that we enter numbers from machines

that are using a six digit counter. I want to be able to scan them in

using OCR. I thought it would help if there were vertical lines in

each box so that the numbers are in there correct place. I don't see

a way to do that using the properties box. How would I go about this?

I have Excel 97 and access to excel 2007.

Thanks

Russ

[Guest Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Re: How do I make a cell with vertical lines for number entry?

 

Russ <StateStreetAmusements@gmail.com> wrote:

> Remember those tests in school where you used a #2 pencil and had to

> enter each number in its separate cell? So if you enter 123456 they

> had lines between them. How would I make a cell that has room for six

> digits? I have a form I print out that we enter numbers from machines

> that are using a six digit counter. I want to be able to scan them in

> using OCR. I thought it would help if there were vertical lines in

> each box so that the numbers are in there correct place. I don't see

> a way to do that using the properties box. How would I go about this?

> I have Excel 97 and access to excel 2007.

> Thanks

> Russ

 

Hi - try posting in a group for Excel - this is a Windows XP group.

[Guest Tim Slattery]

Re: How do I make a cell with vertical lines for number entry?

 

Russ <StateStreetAmusements@gmail.com> wrote:

>Remember those tests in school where you used a #2 pencil and had to

>enter each number in its separate cell? So if you enter 123456 they

>had lines between them. How would I make a cell that has room for six

>digits? I have a form I print out that we enter numbers from machines

>that are using a six digit counter. I want to be able to scan them in

>using OCR. I thought it would help if there were vertical lines in

>each box so that the numbers are in there correct place. I don't see

>a way to do that using the properties box. How would I go about this?

>I have Excel 97 and access to excel 2007.

 

Select the cells you want boxes around, and use Format|Cells, look at

the Border tab.

 

There are also buttons on the toolbar, and on the ribbon in Excel

2007.

 

--

Tim Slattery

MS MVP(Shell/User)

Slattery_T@bls.gov

http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

[Guest PaulMaudib]

Re: How do I make a cell with vertical lines for number entry?

 

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:47:18 -0800 (PST), Russ

<StateStreetAmusements@gmail.com> wrote:

>Remember those tests in school where you used a #2 pencil and had to

>enter each number in its separate cell? So if you enter 123456 they

>had lines between them. How would I make a cell that has room for six

>digits? I have a form I print out that we enter numbers from machines

>that are using a six digit counter. I want to be able to scan them in

>using OCR. I thought it would help if there were vertical lines in

>each box so that the numbers are in there correct place. I don't see

>a way to do that using the properties box. How would I go about this?

>I have Excel 97 and access to excel 2007.

>Thanks

>Russ

 

You ask in a grouf for Excel or OFFICE. You notice THIS group lacks

those words.

 

Ask elsewhere

[Guest RobertVA]

Re: How do I make a cell with vertical lines for number entry?

 

Russ wrote:

> Remember those tests in school where you used a #2 pencil and had to

> enter each number in its separate cell? So if you enter 123456 they

> had lines between them. How would I make a cell that has room for six

> digits? I have a form I print out that we enter numbers from machines

> that are using a six digit counter. I want to be able to scan them in

> using OCR. I thought it would help if there were vertical lines in

> each box so that the numbers are in there correct place. I don't see

> a way to do that using the properties box. How would I go about this?

> I have Excel 97 and access to excel 2007.

> Thanks

> Russ

 

If making hard copy forms for someone to write information on,

investigate using Word or similar word processing software. Your counter

entry field could be a simple six column / one line table. If you want

to print the forms with changing information like machine names or

inventory numbers you could probably modify the "mail merge" function by

substituting the machine information in the place of names and addresses.

 

If listing multiple machines on a sheet use separate Excel columns for

each digit of the counter entry field and change the borders for those

cells to a lighter shade so the OCR can separate them from the numerical

entries. You might be able to use light enough colors for the preprinted

portion of the form to allow the OCR software to filter it out as part

of the background.