Why do we start the formula with + or -

J

Jim333

Hi everybody,

I have noticed that some people start the formula with + or - after
equal sign e.g. =+if(...

My question is: what is the main purpose of doing that >> I need a
detaild answer with some examples if available.

Thank you,,
 
J

Jim May

I think it is strictly a "carry-over" from individuals "Lotus-Days".
Excel didn't embrace the feature/requirement.
HTH
 
J

JMB

hope i'm not raining on someones homework. it is a carryover from lotus 123.
if you enter +sum(A1:A5), excel automatically throws in the = sign, but
leaves the + sign.

Don Guillett said:
WE don't. Only 123 users do it. Happy homework
Click to expand...
 
D

Dave Peterson

When we switched from Lotus 123 to Excel, there were a lot of 123 users who
couldn't break that habit.

(I find it irritating, too <vbg>.)

Another one that lots of lotus users did (ok a few, ok just one!) was:

=sum(a1+b1)
or even worse:
=+sum(a1+b1)
 
M

Myrna Larson

No, more than "just one", I'm sure.

When we switched from Lotus 123 to Excel, there were a lot of 123 users who
couldn't break that habit.

(I find it irritating, too <vbg>.)

Another one that lots of lotus users did (ok a few, ok just one!) was:

=sum(a1+b1)
or even worse:
=+sum(a1+b1)
Click to expand...
 
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