Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2013 November 29

= November 29 =

Sorting in Excel
In Excel (2010), is it possible to do a sort of columns? Or can Excel only sort the rows? Also – a somewhat related question – is there some method or function in Excel (2010) that can simply transpose the rows and columns (i.e., turn the rows into columns and turn the columns into rows)? For example, say that I create a spreadsheet and enter a lot of data. After this is done, I realize that it would have been better off if I had made the rows as columns and made the columns as rows. Do I have to start the entire spreadsheet over from scratch, and enter all that data in again? Or is there a quick way to transpose the rows with the columns? Thanks. Joseph A. Spadaro (talk) 05:50, 29 November 2013 (UTC)
 * In Excel 2007, the options dropdown has an Options dialog that lets you select "sort left to right" or "sort top to bottom". To transpose, you can copy the data to the clipboard, select the destination cell, then in the Paste dropdown on the Home tab select Transpose.  The source & destination areas can't overlap, but you can then cut/paste it back to the original position. Rojomoke (talk) 06:27, 29 November 2013 (UTC)


 * Perfect on both counts! Thanks!   Joseph A. Spadaro (talk) 14:57, 29 November 2013 (UTC)

Unsolved problems
Which of the following would problems about God etc. go under?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsolved_problems Applies to the whole world. 78.156.109.166 (talk) 09:46, 29 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Philosophy, probably. But take note of the first paragraph in List of unsolved problems in philosophy, about vague categories.  Rojomoke (talk) 10:26, 29 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Also neuroscience for questions like why do people need a God. This question would probably have been better on the humanities or miscellaneous desk. Dmcq (talk) 17:44, 29 November 2013 (UTC)

Would these questions apply to the whole world, or just me?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Science#CCHR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Entertainment#Rival_Ball Applies to the whole world, I think. 78.156.109.166 (talk) 20:22, 29 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Huh? Looie496 (talk) 20:37, 29 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Please use appropriate reference desks for your queries. Do not use the Computing desk for questions which do not relate to computing. This is the second question you put here in a row that has nothing to do with this desk. Dmcq (talk) 21:51, 29 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Furthermore, I don't know, and wonder if anyone else knows, what you mean by "Applies to the whole world". You use that frequently, but it doesn't make any sense and may make it difficult for you to get answers. Mingmingla (talk) 01:55, 30 November 2013 (UTC)

"Tell us what part of the world your question applies to." 78.156.109.166 (talk) 09:28, 30 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Again, and it could be just me, that still doesn't make sense. It think you are quoting the part of the guidelines that asks you to state your location if it is relevant to the question. Your phrasing is not common, so it can be confusing.  You would be better served to either state your approximate location, either the country or continent, than to say it they way you do now; or, if your question does indeed "apply to the whole world", you don't need to say so at all. Mingmingla (talk) 16:45, 30 November 2013 (UTC)


 * "Tell us what part of the world your question applies to" is a quote from Reference desk/header/howtoask which is displayed at top of all reference desks. Only tell it if it's relevant to the question. For example, "How do I bypass Internet censorship?" would depend on your location. PrimeHunter (talk) 17:15, 30 November 2013 (UTC)


 * I thought that meant not what location you're in, but where the information from the question ought to be applied (which part of the world). I'm in Denmark. Well it says to get a question answered, make sure you do the following: ... ... ... "Tell us what part of the world your question applies to" ... ... ... ...

So. That means you SHOULD/HAVE TO tell this info to get your question answered. It is how to ask. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.156.109.166 (talk) 20:38, 30 November 2013 (UTC)


 * It doesn't have to be your own location. "How is the president elected?" could be about any country you are interested in, but when people don't specific the country it's usually their own (and usually USA). Brief instructions give a better chance of people reading them (many posters clearly fail that). I don't think it's necessary to add "when relevant", and some people are poor at judging that, for example because they assume things are similar in other places. By the way, I'm also in Denmark. PrimeHunter (talk) 21:20, 30 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Michael Jackson. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.156.109.166 (talk) 15:38, 1 December 2013 (UTC)