Arrow Symbols

[goss]

Hi all,

Using Excel 2010.

I like the look of some of the arrow symbols in my spreadsheets as opposed to --> or -->>
Some very nice looking arrows under Wingdings 3 (Character Code 165 for example)
Insert..Symbol..Wingdings 3

However, it seems the arrows corrupt easily and I'm left with this character "¥"

Any thoughts?
Is the use of --> or -->> merely for speed?
Why can't I copy/paste these characters?
I always have to Insert..Symbol..Wingdings 3 - too time consuming.

 

[jasonb75]

The yen symbol "¥" is not a corrupt arrow, it is the code 165 character for any standard font (calibri, verdana, etc). When you copy / paste, the character is translated to the destination font.

 

[goss]

Thanks Jason,

I hear ya'.

My hope was since I highlight the arrow after insert..symbol..arrow and then type text in calibri that I could highlight the symbol and paste into a destination cell and retain the formatting of the source cell.

Any thoughts?

 

[jasonb75]

It depends what you want to copy, if you copy the actual cell (i.e.single click, ctrl c) then you copy the formats, including any mixed fonts.

If you copy the content of the cell (i.e. double click so the cursor is in the cell, then select all or part of the cell content to copy) then you are only copying the characters, so they will always translate to the destination font.

I think I might have found something, it partially works, in that it only works for the first ¥ in the cell, trying to figure out how to make it work if there is more than 1.

 

[jasonb75]

Ok, I'm sure others could come up with a far better method but this (looks like it) works.

The code needs to be entered into the "ThisWorkbook" module to function.

Private Sub Workbook_SheetChange(ByVal Sh As Object, ByVal Target As Range)
Dim rng As Range
For Each rng In Target
    If InStr(rng, "¥") Or InStr(rng, "¦") Then
        For a = 1 To Len(rng)
            If Mid(rng, a, 1) = "¥" Or Mid(rng, a, 1) = "¦" Then
                Target.Characters(Start:=a, Length:=1).Font.Name = "Wingdings 3"
            End If
        Next
    End If
Next
End Sub

 

[pgc01]

Hi

Another option is to use the arrows characters from Unicode. Since excel supports Unicode you won't have problems when changing font or when copying it.

Notice that the fonts don't display the characters exactly the same (try for ex. in Arial and Calibri) but it will always be a real arrow and more practical to use.

The left arrow in the Unicode character is called "Leftwards Arrow" and has the code 2090 hex.

←

Notice that since you are using a Unicode character you also won't have to worry about regional settings.

 

[goss]

Thanks Jason and PGC,

PGC,

From Insert..Symbol..I entered the 2090 in the character code input box and chose from Unicode(hex).

The return was "a" from Superscripts and Subscripts Subset.
However, this also brought charcater 2190 "Leftwards Arrow" into view on the dialog window so was able to find the charcter needed.

Copy paste retains the character as well as the formatted font (Calibri 11pt).
Thanks for the help

 

[pgc01]

From Insert..Symbol..I entered the 2090 in the character code input box and chose from Unicode(hex).

The return was "a" from Superscripts and Subscripts Subset.
However, this also brought charcater 2190 "Leftwards Arrow" into view on the dialog window so was able to find the charcter needed.

Sorry, you are right, it was a typo, it's 2190 hex.

I'm glad it's working ok now!