Is it possible to hide the data in a formatted cell until the data from the relevant cells has been entered?

D2=IF(AND(ISBLANK(B2), ISBLANK(C2)),"", SUM(D1)+B2−C2)

this is shorthand for in cell D2 type (or copy and paste from here) the formula:

"=IF(AND(ISBLANK(B2), ISBLANK(C2)),"", SUM(D1)+B2−C2)" without the first and last double quotes

Ray,

You can wrap your balance expression in a test to see if data has been entered.

Something like this:

=IF(LEN(B&C)>0, BalanceExpression, "")

Jerry

Ray,

select cell D2 and type (opr copy and paste from here) the formula (Jerry's formula performs the same task and is simpler so let's us his):

"=IF(LEN(B&C)>0, BalanceExpression, "")" without the first and last double quotes

then select cell D2 (again), copy

now select the column D by clicking the column header (the "D" at the very top

now hold the command key and click the cell D1 (to unselect) now paste

select row 2 and add a new row by typing the key combination <command>+ down arrow

enter the starting balance in cell C2.

Hi Ray,

I am improving my Numbers skills by reading this forum and studying the answers to questions like yours. Jerry and Wayne have fixed you up.

I would clarify that in Jerry's formula where it says "BalanceExpression" this is where you insert your current formula from column D.

What the formula says is:

if the number of characters in columns B & C is greater than 0 then show the results of your Balance formula, otherwise show nothing.

A good way to improve your skills is to use the funcion browser to understand the answers offered. Its what I've been doing!

Quinn

Thanks Quinn.

J.

Jerry,

🙂

It just ocurred to me that this situation could be addressed with conditional highlighting. The rule in D2 would be "equal to D1" font color is white. Select the whole column and combine highlighting rules.

I am surprized that apple makes me go to a custom rule to chose a white font color. Is it bad form to do this?

Quinn

In my opinion, conditional formatting based on another cell's content is more difficult than just testing for input with the if-statement, not to mention that the conditional format would be more difficult for a third party to discover if the document needed to be maintained by others.

Jerry

Thanks.

Quinn

Hi Quinn,

I am surprized that apple makes me go to a custom rule to chose a white font color.

To get

Or use the colour window: View > Show Colors (shift command c).

Click on a colour to apply it to text of selected cells.

Drag a colour to the selected cells to apply it as the Fill:

Some of the features that we thought were lost are just Hidden in Numbers 3! (I can't wait for a decent User Guide).

Regards

Ian.

Hi Ian,

I was referring to the extra clicks it takes me to create a conditional highlighting rule where the text is white rather than a color or grey or bold.

I hesitate to admit it but Numbers 3 works as well for me as 2 did.

Quinn

Hi Quinn,

I hesitate to admit it but Numbers 3 works as well for me as 2 did.

I like your approach. A very differerent approach from those who ask: "Who moved my Cheese?"

http://www.spencerjohnson.com/Book-WhoMovedMyCheese.html

Regards,

Ian.