Cell showing formula instead of date

[Ross]

Hi all

I inherited a file recently and I have a problem with a cell showing the
formula instead of the calculation.

The formula cell used to be a straight date data entry, and I believe it was
sent to Text format. I now want to change it to =b1, which already has a
manually entered date in it. However, the formula cell will only show =b1.

My sheet is set to auto calculate, and I've tried making sure the cell is a
date format, but it won't change. I've read that changing it to "general",
then f2 and enter, might do the trick. What is that doing? Why doesn't it
calculate if I set it to a date format? If that works, do I need to
re-format it as a date?

Thanks everyone...

 

[Mike H]

Ross,

If the format was text changing format alone doesn't work you have to select
the cell and tap F2 to edit the formula and then press enter.

It could also be set to view formula instead of result

Tools|Options - View tab and un-check formulas.

Mike

 

[Sheeloo]

Press Ctrl-`

 

[Ross]

Thanks for the reply, Mike.

It is set to see the calculation, and not the formula. I'm going to try the
General, F2, enter method when I get back to work and I'll let you know if it
works then. I was also wondering why just changing the format doesn't do the
trick, as it usually does in other things? Also, speaking of setting a sheet
to manual calculation, why would a person want that?? Why not just have it
calculate automatically?

Thanks

 

[Mike H]

to manual calculation, why would a person want that?? Why not just have it

calculate automatically?

This can dramatically reduce speed of code execution. For example i have a
worksheet that calculates the turnaround loading times of road vehicles
visiting several sites and for 2008 there were >40000 records. with
calculation enabled the code takes 10 minutes to run with calulation and
screenupdating disabled the run time is down to <3 minutes.

Mike

 

[Ross]

Ok...I see now. That would make sense for the scenario you gave. This is a
simple 1 page worksheet with only 3 formulas on it, so I guess whoever set it
up is just used to doing everything that way.?.

Thanks again.

 

[Ross]

The "general" format, f2, enter method worked like a charm! I just wish I
knew what it is doing.

Thanks again for all the answer and all the info!