Hyphens in Spreadsheet

Question

Hi, I am doing some data entry in the Microsoft Excel 2010 spreadsheet. Between each number there is a hyphen (no spaces between number and hyphen). Examples: 4-9-2-10 or 3-7-1-5. Since I don't understand the Formulas, then I would like to ask the community if there is a way that a hyphen can automatically be inserted as soon as I type a number. As things stand, I have to press a number, then press the hyphen key. It would be so much quicker if I did not have to touch the hyphen key. I have 12 columns that I am putting these figures into. Thank you

JIMOA

Answer 1

Nice. 

That will work if the last set of four has double digits.

I'm still not clear if that was a typo or if the fourth -- or any other -- position can be one or more digits.

JIMOA, we really need your feedback here. Please reply.

Answer 2

The question is not about concatenating cells, but about formatting data that is entered into a single cell.

Answer 3

For 3 to 5 digit +ve numbers, you can use following custom format ( A maximum of only 2 conditions + one else is possible in custom format taking care of 3 scenarios, hence 3 to 5 digits) -

[<1000]#-#-#;[<10000]#-#-#-#;#-#-#-##

Hence

123 = 1-2-3

1234 = 1-2-3-4 (takes care of 3-7-1-5)

12345 = 1-2-3-45 (takes care of 4-9-2-10)

Answer 4

Hi ,

You can use the formula in shown in the print screen , you need to type the numbers in different cells & then you can combine them through a"hyphen"" & consolidate value will come as shown in print screen below.

Answer 5

Hello,

what is the logic for 4-9-2-10. Why not 4-9-2-1-0?

If you only have four digits in each number you could use a custom number format to separate each digit with a - sign, for example

#-#-#-#