Here is a quick tip to start the week.
Often, we end up with a situation where a bunch of numbers are stored as text.
In such cases, Excel displays a warning indicator at the top-left corner of the cell. If you click on warning symbol next to the cell, Excel shows a menu offering choices to treat the error.
Converting numbers stored as text back to numbers
Tip #1: Error correction
One easy and quick way to convert all the text-numbers to numbers is,
- Select all the cells
- Click on warning indicator next to top-most cell
- Choose Convert to number option
- Done
Tip#2: Paste Special Convert
Sometimes such text-numbers may be scattered across the worksheet, thus making selection of cells a pain.
In such cases, follow this process (see demo below)
- In a blank cell, just type 1
- Copy this blank cell.
- Select all the cells that have text-numbers.
- Press CTRL+ALT+V to launch Paste Special box.
- Choose Multiply from operation area.
- Click ok & Done!
Enjoy your numbers.
Bonus tip: If you think the error indicators are annoying, you can turn them off. Just go to File > Options > Formulas and turn off all the error checking rules you don’t need.
PS: Thanks to Justin for emailing me the Paste Special Multiply with 1 trick.
9 Responses to “Show forecast values in a different color with this simple trick [charting]”
While this works in a pinch, it clearly "lightens" the colors of the entire chart. Depending on where you use this, it will be blatantly obvious that you don't know what you are doing and present a poor looking graph.
Why not separate the data into different segments when charting and have as many colors as you have data points? You might have to create a new legend and/or repeat the chart in "invisible ink", but it would be cleaner and more consistent when new or updated data becomes available.
While I think I agree that doing it "properly" via a second series is preferable, I don't necessarily agree that making the entirety of the "future" (data, gridlines, and even the axis) semi-transparent is "poor looking". I think it could be seen as adding more emphasis to the "future-ness" of the forecast data.
In short, it's another tool for the toolbox, even if it's never needed.
Simply and clever 🙂
Quick & effective, cool. thanks.
I always use the dummy series.
Nice little trick, thanks very much!
Two sets of data better. Control is much better.
You can use the same chart next month to see what is actual and what is forecast.
To use this trick, I think grid lines has to be removed, that will make the graphic much more sharp.
to be honest, i dont understand why there is needed to do this way... in this case horizontal lines will be pale as well. then why a just can't change the color of the line partly???
Great tutorial. Thanks for the tutorial!