Forward Counting Conditional

[ksearles]

Greetings,

Is it possible to write a conditional function which looks forward and counts a certain number of consecutive blank spaces? If the number counted meets a criteria, it should then backfill those blank cells (which just meet the criteria) with some number. I would like to use the function to parse and group data.

Thanks,

K. Searles

[Juan Pablo González]

Select the range of those "blank" cells. I assumed C1:F1

Go to Format, Conditional Formatting, and change the first one from "Value Is" to "Formula Is", and paste this formula there

=(SUM((LEN($C1:$F1)=0)+0)=2)*(LEN(C1)=0)

What am I looking for ? EXACTLY 2 blank cells in C1:F1. If so, I'll format those cells with a RED background (Click on Pattern, Fill, choose Red)

You may need to adjust the range (Look out for the $) and the number of blank cells you want (2 in this case)

[ksearles]

Juan Pablo,

Thanks...In my case the blank consecutive cells will occur at random positions within a column. Can I point to them with some logic prior to using a conditional function to count and backfill?

Regards,

K. Searles