Calculation problem

[Guest]

Hello everyone,

Someone sent me an Excel workbook that behaves in a bizarre way. There is no
virus nor any macros in it.

Example: I insert a formula in the cells H2:H10, something like:

=F2&G2

But instead of displaying the result of the formula, I see the same formula
(=F2&G2) in all the cells. The Option/Display formulas check box is not
checked, that is the first thing I verified. But the formula is not
recognized at all. Actually, it should display:

=F2&G2
=F3&G3
=F4&G4
....

which is not the case. It's always =F2&G2 in all the cells. Bizarre!

In some cells, if I insert a simple formula, i get a correct result. But in
most cells, the same problem remains.

Another thing happens in the other sheet (there are only two of them) where
a pivot table was created: when I double-click on a data cell, the characters
displayed in some cells turns to some kind of chinese dialect (even though
the Format/Cells/Font option shows Arial 10).

Has anyone ever come across such a weird behaviour? What could be the
problem with that workbook and where should I look to find some answer?

Both of us use Excel 2003 version 11.5612.5606

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Your cell was formatted as Text when you entered the formula. Format it
as General and re-enter.

 

[Guest]

Hi JE,

Your are right about that formula problem. Thank you.

But what about the other problem where the data displayed is changed to some
incomprehensible chinese characters? What could it be? Anyone has an idea?

Thank you again.