Can't get formula to work in inserted column

[Nancy]

I have imported a text file into Excel 2003 using the Import Wizard,
and I have specified that each column is "text" during the wizard. I
want to combine two text fields into one value so I can use the more
elaborate value in a pivot table later. For example:
A1 = ABC
B1 = Welcome message
C1 = gobbledygook

I want to insert a column before column C that would say "ABC-Welcome
message".

I right-click on column C and choose Insert.
I type in this formula into the new C1: =A1&"-"&B1
Cell C1 now shows the formula, not the value.
If I type the formula way over in an unused column Z, then "ABC-
Welcome message" shows up just fine.

Is there some trick to inserting a column into a spreadsheet so the
formula will work? What am I missing?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Guest]

Your new inserted column is pre-formatted as Text, since the surrounding
columns were also text. You'll need to format the new column to General,
then re-enter your formula.

HTH,
Elkar

 

[Bernard Liengme]

Click on the C in the column header to select all the entire column
Use Format | Format Cell; open Number tab; set format to General
Nothing happens!
Double click the cell with the formula to open it in Edit mode; use either
the Enter key or the green check mark on Formula Bar to confirm
Now the formula should work
best wishes

 

[Earl Kiosterud]

Nancy,

Your inserted column will always have the same formatting as the following one (now D in
this case). So it's text, and that's why you formula is going in as text, not as a formula.
Change the formatting to General, or pretty much anything but text.
--
Regards from Virginia Beach,

Earl Kiosterud
www.smokeylake.com

Note: Top-posting has been the norm here.
Some folks prefer bottom-posting.
But if you bottom-post to a reply that's
already top-posted, the thread gets messy.
When in Rome...

 

[Nancy]

Nancy,

Your inserted column will always have the same formatting as the following one (now D in
this case). So it's text, and that's why you formula is going in as text, not as a formula.
Change the formatting to General, or pretty much anything but text.
--
Regards from Virginia Beach,

Earl Kiosterudwww.smokeylake.com

Note: Top-posting has been the norm here.
Some folks prefer bottom-posting.
But if you bottom-post to a reply that's
already top-posted, the thread gets messy.
When in Rome...









- Show quoted text -

Thanks to all of you for your quick responses. I have it now: if I
insert a colum between two text columns, format the new inserted
column to General, then type my formula in the new column, it works.
What doesn't work is to try to format the column AFTER I've typed my
formula -- it won't magically change my "text" into a "formula", which
all makes sense, I guess.

Thanks again, and regards from Charlottesville

Nancy