why does a formula become text

D

duncan

If I enter a formula into a cell e.g. =A1*B1 the cell reports the
result correctly. Sometimes I can be editting a formula and the cell
stops reporting the result and only displays the formula. No amounnt
of adjusting the formula or cell format makes the cell display the
result of the formula.

Why is this?



Duncan
 
F

Frank Kabel

Hi
check if the cell is formated as 'Text'. goto 'Format - Cells' and use
for example the format 'General'

If this does not help goto 'Tools - Options - View' and uncheck
'Formulas'
 
D

Dave Peterson

Excel likes to help you with the numberformat for the cell.

Try this on a test worksheet.

Put the date in A1
put =a1 in cell B9
B9 inherited that format.

Now try this:
format A1 as Text
Type something in it.
B9 reevaluated its formula.

Now edit B9. (F2 and enter is fine, maybe twice)

It shows the formula--That's excel trying to help by applying that format from
the "sending" cell.

The only way I know to deal with it is to just fix it. Format the formula cell
as general (or whatever you want) and hit F2|enter. (Then stay away from that
cell!!!)

Sometimes, it's helpful. Sometimes, it's a pain.

(If you have lots of cells to fix,
select them (all at once)
format them as General (or what you want)
edit|replace
what: = (equal sign)
with: = (equal sign)
replace all.

But remember what you did, excel will continue to help.
 
P

Patti

Another thought -- hit CTRL` (the key above Tab). I
sometimes accidentally hit this when I'm toggling between
worksheets. It changes the contents of the cells from the
answer to the formula.
 
S

SidBord

Interesting . . . that just happened to me a few minutes
ago. I'm not sure why it changes to TEXT sometimes, but
when it does I know I have to format the cell again. After
I format the cell, then I click on the green check mark in
the formula bar to make it execute. That usually clears it up.
 
D

David McRitchie

Hi Duncan,
Also make sure that calculation is set to automatic in Tools, Options, Calculation
 
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