Getting Audible Feedback

Summary: Assuming you have a sound card and speakers on your computer (and who doesn't these days), you can configure Excel to make sounds as a form of feedback. This is a simple change you can make in the Options dialog box, and it may enhance your use of the program. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, and Excel 2003.)

If you are using a multimedia computer (you know--the type that has more bells and whistles than your home stereo system), then you can configure Excel so it make noises. Granted, every version of Excel makes an obnoxious ding whenever you press the wrong key or try to do something it doesn't like, but now you can expand the auditory experience to an even wider array of obnoxious noises. To set up Excel to use audible feedback, follow these steps:

Choose Options from the Tools menu. Excel displays the Options dialog box.
Select the General tab. (Click here to see a related figure.)
Make sure the Provide Feedback with Sound check box is selected.
Click on OK.

You have now enabled the use of sounds. If you want to change which sounds Excel uses, then do your tweaking in the Sounds applet of the Control Panel. (This is within Windows, not in Excel itself.)

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2934) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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