My First Question

[Apexwolf]

I am relatively new to Excel (using it for the past year) and have an issue I cannot seem to find a solution to. "=IF((H12-H14)*1000<0,0,(H12-H14)*1000)" I have this equation in a cell when I use one of my dial indicators at work, the problem is I have a second dial indicator that reads backwards. So instead of having to manually flip both H12-H14 is there a way I can tell this cell which dial indicator I'm using and then it uses the correct formula? Let me know if my question is not clear. Thank you.

 

[dreid1011]

Welcome to the forum. Yes, it is quite possible to tell it which formula to use, however, we need to know how you are tracking which dial indicator you are using to know how to tell the formula which one you are using.

But something along the lines of this:

IF( dial indicator = A, then use this formula, else use this formula ), of course, also keeping your current check to see if the formula is greater than 0. Of course, that can be shortened like this:

=MAX((H12-H14)*1000,0)

 

[Scott Huish]

I think that formula could be simplified to this
=MAX(0,(H12-H14)*1000)

but what is a "dial indicator"?

 

[Apexwolf]

It is a measuring device that read how much something expands or shrinks. I didn't realize I could simplify the formula, that is neat. I'll try out the simplified formula and dried1011's IF suggestion.

 

[Apexwolf]

Well this isn't working well. I am trying to send that XL2BB mini sheet but all I get is thsi code.

Bulk for export from Benton & Winchester.xlsx
	G	H	I	J
10	SPECIMEN INUNDATION
11	distilled water for 24 h or expantion rate < 0.0002 in./h	Height (in)	Time (h:m)	Date
12	Initial	0.2820	18:41	06/17/24
13	Reading	0.2610	9:10	06/18/24
14	Final Reading	0.2150
15	EI (measured)	67
EI FORM

Cell Formulas
Range	Formula
H15	H15	=MAX((H12-H14)*1000,0)

 

[Apexwolf]

Nevermind, That is how it works. I'm so smart

 

[dreid1011]

Is there somewhere on your sheet you can enter a value to determine which dial indicator you are using?

 

[Apexwolf]

OK, That formula is fantastic, works perfect. The =IF formula @dried1011 suggested only returns #NAME?. Here is what I tried.

Bulk for export from Benton & Winchester.xlsx
	G	H	I	J
10	SPECIMEN INUNDATION
11	distilled water for 24 h or expantion rate < 0.0002 in./h	Height (in)	Time (h:m)	Date
12	Initial	0.2820	18:41	06/17/24
13	Reading	0.2610	9:10	06/18/24
14	Final Reading	0.2150
15	EI (measured)	#NAME?
EI FORM

Cell Formulas
Range	Formula
H15	H15	=IF(J15=A,(MAX((H12-H14)*1000,0)),(MAX((H14-H12)*1000,0)))

 

[Apexwolf]

Is there somewhere on your sheet you can enter a value to determine which dial indicator you are using?

Yea, just gonna have a white text in the same area. It will only need to be for the cells reference.

 

[Joe4]

That is because it does not recognize A here:

=IF(J15=A

If you are checking for a value of "A", it needs to be inside double-quotes, i.e.

=IF(J15="A"

Literal values always needs to go between double-quotes.
Otherwise, it thinks it is a function or range reference.