Excel Fun

This puzzle may be fun for those of you that use m$ excel:

The user inputs data only in A1

Using formulas only (NO macros) arrange that when the user changes A1, cell B1 always displays what was in A1 before the change.

i.e:
Start, A1 is blank
User inputs "Fish" -> B1 is blank
User inputs "Chips" -> B1 = "Fish"
User inputs "Chips" -> B1 = "Fish"
User inputs "1" -> B1 = "Chips"
User inputs "2" -> B1 = "1"

Your answer must detail the formulas you need to achieve this, in sufficient detail that I can input your solution into Excel to see if it works.

Originally posted by iamatiger
This puzzle may be fun for those of you that use m$ excel:

The user inputs data only in A1

Using formulas only (NO macros) arrange that when the user changes A1, cell B1 always displays what was in A1 before the change.

i.e:
Start, A1 is blank
User inputs "Fish" -> B1 is blank
User inputs "Chips" -> B1 = "Fish"
User inputs "Chips" -> B ...[text shortened]... achieve this, in sufficient detail that I can input your solution into Excel to see if it works.

I think I do need a clue, I've tried everything, but I still can't get it!

Olav

I doubt if it is possible at all, since Excel updates all cells at once. So it would be very hard to make a buffer, without using macros.

Here's a clue:
In Tools/Options/Calculation, enable iteration.

Another clue available in two days if still stumped.

Originally posted by iamatiger
Here's a clue:
In Tools/Options/Calculation, enable iteration.

Another clue available in two days if still stumped.

Yup, that would be nice, I thought I knew everything about Excel... 😕

Olav

Originally posted by LivingLegend
Yup, that would be nice, I thought I knew everything about Excel... 😕

Olav

Originally posted by iamatiger
Ok - You require at least two formulas. Obviously a formula in B1, which is the cell tracking the last value in A1, but another formula in another cell too (eg C1). Without iteration enabled excel will tell you that these formulas have "circular references" and will not evaluate them, as they each reference their own and each others contents.

Next clue available in two more days on request. 🙂

The suspence is killing me. 🙂
What's the final clue?

Originally posted by econundrum
The suspence is killing me. 🙂
What's the final clue?

Originally posted by iamatiger
Ok - With the user entering words in A1, B1 displaying the last word entered and an extra formula in C1 (+ with iteration switched on) the following characters can be used to construct the formulas required for the shortest (I think) possible solution:

====(()),,,,11111111AABBCCCCFFII