Set tab option in Excel?

[dkr1]

Hi,

Is there a way in Excel to set the Tab key, or any other key for that matter, to move right a given number of cells (five in my application). I have a daily form in which I always start in A and 75% of the time need to go next to F.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Zathras]

If you normally never need to type anything in columns B thru E, then you could use protection:

1. Select all cells with Ctrl-A
2. Right click in any cell and select "Format Cells..."
3. Click the "Protection" tab, uncheck "Locked" and click OK
4. Select columns B thru E
5. Right click in any selected cell and select "Format Cells..."
6. Check "Locked" and click OK
7. From the menu, select Tools/Protection/Protect Sheet...
8. Click OK.

The tab key will jump from column A to column F.
You can selct any other cell (except col B thru E) and type into it.

When you need to make an entry in column B thru E, use the menu Tools/Protection/Unprotect Sheet..., make the changes and then use Tools/Protection/Protect Sheet... again.

As an alternative, if you want to use a macro (since this isn't the VBA forum, you may not be familiar with macros) here is a simple macro you can use. Just assign a shortcut key (e.g. Ctrl-z) and anytime you need to advance 6 columns, just type the shortcut sequence:

Sub GoRightFive()
  Selection.Cells(1, 6).Select
End Sub

If you don't know macros or VBA, this might be a good opportunity to start learning about them. Type Alt-F11 and select Insert/Module from the menu to paste the code from above. Click on Help and start reading to learn about VBA.

To assign the shortcut key, go back to Excel, click Tools/Macro/Macros... select "GoRightFive" and Click Options...