Adding Characters

mcp,

The formula method suggested by Stephan makes your data appear in another
cell with the parentheses. You can permanently change the original column
by selecting and copying the formula column, then paste over the original
column with Paste Special - Values. You no longer need the helper column,
and can delete it, but any new names will need to have the process applied.

Another way is to put the parentheses in with formatting. The parens won't
actually be in the cells, so any formula that makes reference to them won't
get the parens. It just makes them appear in the cell thus formatted:
Select the column, Format - Cells - Number - Custom - (@)
--
Earl Kiosterud
www.smokeylake.com

"mcp6453" <mcp6453@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:OxQSlKxrFHA.1168@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
> In Excel 2000, I have a column of names to which I need to add a "("
> before and a ")" after. That is,
>
> Your Name Here
>
> becomes
>
> (Your Name Here).
>
> How can I make that change on a LONG list of names?
>
> Thanks

I like the format idea, then nothing actually has been changed.

Another way would be to use a macro, which beats the use of
a formula, followed by copy, paste special, values -- especially if
this is going to be done on a regular basis.

Sub Enclose_Text_cells()
Dim tstRange As Range, cell As Range
On Error Resume Next
Set tstRange = Intersect(Selection, _
Selection.SpecialCells(xlConstants, xlTextValues))
On Error GoTo 0
If tstRange Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual
For Each cell In tstRange
cell.Value = "(" & Trim(cell.Formula) & ")"
Next cell
Application.Calculation = xlCalculationAutomatic
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

Directions to install and use a macro in
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/getstarted.htm
---
HTH,
David McRitchie, Microsoft MVP - Excel [site changed Nov. 2001]
My Excel Pages: http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/excel.htm

"Earl Kiosterud" <someone@nowhere.com> wrote ...
> Another way is to put the parentheses in with formatting. The parens won't
> actually be in the cells, so any formula that makes reference to them won't
> get the parens. It just makes them appear in the cell thus formatted:
> Select the column, Format - Cells - Number - Custom - (@)