Adding text to a cell text entry using Format Number?

[Maike13]

I have a column of cells that contain a single text character (A-Z). Some of these entries have a special significance and I want to identify them with an asterisk (eg: A*). However formulas in many other cells reference cells in this column and just typing in an asterisk causes these formulas to fail. I thought I would be able to create a custom number format for the cells General"*" to give me A* (for example) but apparently this only works on numbers (12345 in a cell does become 12345* when formatted to General"*"). I guess this makes sense since it is titled Format Numbers. Is there any way to do this with text or will I have to go through all the formulas on my sheet and alter them to allow for there possibly being an asterisk typed in the cell?

 

[Scott Huish]

Make a custom format of:
General;-General;0;@\*

 

[Rick Rothstein]

If I understand correctly, you only want certain letters to have an asterisk, not every letter, is that right? If so, you can use Conditional Formatting for those letters. Select the cell or cells you want to have this functionality and, if more than one cell is selected, note which is the active cell. Let's say the cell or active cell is A1. Use this Conditional Formatting formula...

=OR(A1="D",A1="M",A1="Q")

where I have assumed the letters you want to have an asterisk are D, M and Q (change as needed). Now, with the Conditional Formatting dialog box open, click the Format button, choose the Number tab, select Custom from the list and put this in the Type field...

@"*"

then OK your way back to the worksheet. You are done... test the cell or cells to see that it works as intended.

 

[Rick Rothstein]

Rick, that format will put an asterisk after anything that is entered in the cell.

It is not a normal cell format that I am suggesting... it is the format to be used with the Conditional Formatting formula I posted above it.

 

[Scott Huish]

I realized that, already deleted the post. Sorry

 

[Maike13]

Make a custom format of:
General;-General;0;@\*

Brilliant Scott. Works perfectly. Thanks SO much.

 

[Maike13]

If I understand correctly, you only want certain letters to have an asterisk, not every letter, is that right? If so, you can use Conditional Formatting for those letters. Select the cell or cells you want to have this functionality and, if more than one cell is selected, note which is the active cell. Let's say the cell or active cell is A1. Use this Conditional Formatting formula...

=OR(A1="D",A1="M",A1="Q")

where I have assumed the letters you want to have an asterisk are D, M and Q (change as needed). Now, with the Conditional Formatting dialog box open, click the Format button, choose the Number tab, select Custom from the list and put this in the Type field...

@"*"

then OK your way back to the worksheet. You are done... test the cell or cells to see that it works as intended.

Actually the @"*" by itself does all that I need, as it's only certain instances of a letter that need the asterisk (ie. some As, some Bs etc.). Thanks so much for the reply. I was afraid I was going to have to spend hours changing all my formula.