Discussion on:

Use an Excel style to identify data input cells

This is a super little tip. I can see that I shall probably define a few of these for general use such as Numeric_Input, Alpha_Input, Date_Input and so on. Wouldn't it be good if data validation could be included inthe style definition?

Useful. I would like to be able to make the background change when cell has had data entered. I can do that by Conditional formatting, e.g., by using a formula =ISBLANK()
Can this be made part of a style? I admit I should try and see first.

Is this discussing Word or Excel?

Refered to "Word 2003" no less than five times when the article is about Excel 2003 -> 2010.

She's just telling you how to do the same in Word instead of Excel.

I'd been writing about Word and just kept pulling Word out of my hat instead of Excel. This is totally about Excel -- nothing to do with Word. Sorry for the inconvenience.

No need to be snippy - easily corrected.

Thank you Mark, was just getting ready to take care of that but you beat me to it!

This Cell Style only appears on the workbook that you create it in? Is there a way to always make it available?

Add it to a template.

Thank you, Susan H. I'm preparing a spreadsheet for website publication and this will be very handy. I'll share it with my colleagues, if that's okay.
I also like the idea of conditionally formatting the cell when it has been filled in. I'll try that. Another idea is to change the COLOR when the input does not meet validation criteria.
Thanks Again.

Very good: really easy to implement and mighty useful. Great in a template. Thanks

Great tip, never really used the cell styles . Thanks

Thank you Susan!
I am new to Excel, and I like it. You tip is very well worded, lucid and helpful.

Arthur