=LEFT(Sheet1!E2,3) gives an error I don't understand

[CWatters]

Can anyone help me understand why this give an "error in formula"...

=LEFT(Sheet1!E2,3)

The cell sheet1!E2 contains:

"GBR 23"

Ignore the " marks - the source cell format is set to general as is the cell
containing the function.

All I'm trying to do is truncate it to "GBR"

The gap between GBR and 23 may contain spaces and/or tabs if that matters.

Many thanks.

Colin

 

[Domenic]

Hi Colin,

I just tried it myself and had no problem with it, whether I entered the
formula in Sheet 1 or Sheet 2, and whether I included spaces and/or
tabs. So I don't know why you're getting an error message.

In the meantime, you can try using "Text to Columns" to separate the two.

 

[Norman Harker]

Hi Colin!

Nothing inherently wrong with your formula.

I suspect it's your argument separator. If you use , for the decimal
point then the separator is probably a semi-colon.

Try:
=LEFT(Sheet1!E2;3)

 

[Dave Peterson]

It worked ok for me with my USA settings.

Should you use a semicolon as your list separator?

maybe:

=LEFT(Sheet1!E2;3)

 

[CWatters]

I suspect it's your argument separator. If you use , for the decimal
point then the separator is probably a semi-colon.

Thanks Norman and Dave. That was it ! I had to tweak the DP yesterday and
hadn't linked the two issues.
..