Crosswords

Using the **CONDITIONAL FORMATING** option within excel you can create a self-check crossword puzzle as a rotation station in your classroom.


 * NO PAPER REQUIRED!!!
 * Make the clues as easy or as hard as you want

media type="file" key="Working_Crossword.swf" width="798" height="435"


 * See the example below and try it out.**


 * Step 1:** Determine your topic and how many words you want in your puzzle. You may want to merge cells for your clues at the bottom.


 * Step 2:** Create your puzzle by writing your words in excel how you want them to look as a finished project (one letter in each box).


 * Step 3:** Right click in the beginning cell for each word, select INSERT COMMENT, type in "across" or "down" with its corresponding number. Repeat this step for as many words as are in your crossword.


 * Step 4**: Hold CTRL and highlight all the words in your puzzle, click the borders button and select ALL BORDERS.
 * Step 5**: Write clues for each word.


 * Step 5**: Hold CTRL and select letters that are similar (all the a's), click **CONDITIONAL FORMATING**, click **HIGHLIGHT CELLS RULES**, click **TEXT THAT CONTAINS**, (your letter should already be typed in) select the color that you want the cell to appear when the correct letter is entered. Repeat this step for all of your letters.


 * Step 6:** Highlight all of you letters within your crossword and click **DELETE**.


 * Step 7:** Hold **CTRL** and highlight all of the boxes in your crossword. Click the red "Bad" box next to **FORMAT AS TABLE**.

Your crossword is now ready for student access. The correct letter will turn green inside the box while all other letters will turn red indicating a wrong answer.