Jeff,
I think your suggestion is interesting, though
I'm not certain exactly what it is. 
LOL. I guess I didn't do a very good job explaining it.
Are you saying columns 2 & 3 would be simply for show,
and would allow no input?
Yes, you have that now with your "Text Code" column. You would
simply add another column for the Order Number display. You don't
need that with the current version, because the order number is
always displayed (and entered) in the "Order (No.)" column. But
that would change (see blelow).
If that's true, then why would we need them? Automagic
can keep that data hidden and just use it for the SEND
sheet and the orders output file.
Just for a visual reference. You don't currently "need" to display
the "Text Code" column, but you do. It makes it easier to verify
what you entered.
As for column 1, are you suggesting two completely
separate (but sequential) orders listings within
the same cell? (ie; All the numbers followed by all
the text codes?)
Yes.
I suppose this might be possible,
but it would require a bit of work (just to see if
I can make it work, since my knowledge of Excel is
limited).
Well, your knowledge of Excel certainly surpasses mine, but I'm
assuming it should be pretty easy. I don't think the list needs to
distinguish between the numbers and codes, they are all just valid
entries. The complexity is in the logic to populate columns 2 and
3.
You currently have some kind of logic that says, for example, if the
Order No is 810, then to populate the Text Code with MovChar. In
its place you would have to have that says if the entry is "810"
or "MovChar" to populate the Order No field with 810 and the Text
Code field with MovChar.
(Actually I think its more simple than that, but it probably sounds
more complex when I describe it: You would have a new "Order Entry"
field that would have the list of valid Numbers and Text Codes in
it. This is similar to the current Order No field. The Order No
field would then have the logic I describe in the above paragraph.
The Text Code field would have the exact same logic you have now,
still picking up its info from the Order No field.)
Right now it seems like a LOT of people like
the orders input system the way it is, though
the poll is rather limited in that it only compares
two distinctly different methods. However, from
the E-Mails I've gotten over time, most people
would wind up using the numbers anyway.
I'm sure this is true with a couple caveats. As you mention, the
poll is limited. Heck, I even voted to keep it the same, compared
to the change you mentioned. Maybe I'm weird, but after seven games
over the past six or seven years, I still find it a lot easier to
remember the Text Codes than the numbers.
It would be a lot of work to change something
that most people seem happy with.
Fair enough. And if you decide its not worth it, I won't be
offended in the least. But in my defense I'm just responding to
your original query. I've thought many times that I would like to
enter the Text Code, rather than the Number, but I never would have
dreamed to ask for it. You know...never look a gift horse in the
mouth. But, since you brought the topic up, I thought I'd throw out
my ideas.
Still, something to think about. Thanks for bringing it up.
The last thing to throw out is that IF my idea is feasible, it would
allow those that are comfortable with the way it currently works to
continue to enter the orders exactly the way they are now, while
providing flexibility to those that are more comfortable with the
Text Codes.
Thanks again for the great app!
Jeff Wygal
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