Formula won't calculate...

T

Tom

I copied a sumif formula accorss a worksheet, and then tried to make some
changes to the formula in one of the cells. When I made the change, the
formula discontinued working and became text . For example, I typed the
following in the cell:

=2+2

The result was =2+2, not 4 as it should have been. I know the cell is
formatted as text. Why did this happen? What prevents a formula from
changing automatically to text?

Many thanks..
 
D

Dave O

Because the cell is formatted as text, anything entered into that cell-
including what would be a formula anywhere else- is treated as text.
This can be a tool (for instance, to display a formula, or to enter
telephone numbers or zip codes) or a hindrance (what shows onscreen
will sort alphabetically instead of numerically).
 
T

Tom

Since it's a hindrance to what I'm trying to accomplish, how do I stop it
from happening?
 
D

Dave O

Sorry for the delay, didn't see your post.

Change the format of the cells in question from text to numeric before
copying.
 
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