Here is an approach using `CellEvaluationFunction`: Use the Options Inspector and set `CellEvaluationFunction` to: (Map[ToExpression, Row[Apply[Riffle[#, "\", \""]& , #]]]& ) This is best combined with style sheets to define a style that automatically uses this function. (Ask if you need help setting this up.) To use this more simply, or simply to try it out, evaluate this to create a new Input cell, then type your input into that cell: CellPrint[ Cell[BoxData[""], "Input", CellEvaluationFunction -> (ToExpression /@ Row[Riffle[#, "\", \""] & @@ #] &)]] The result should look like this: 