Count function not working in one workbook

[Carolyn]

The count function is not working in one of my workbooks. It works in others
and in new ones. The workbook it is not working in was created last week.
It returns either zero or shows the function formula in the cell even though
calculate is set at automatic.

Carolyn

 

[Eduardo]

Hi,
if it shows the function formula press

CTRL + Caps Lock + ~

~ is at the left of number one in your keyboard

 

[Roger Govier]

Hi Carolyn

If it is showing the function, then the formula has been entered into a
cell that has been formatted as Text.
Right click on the cell>Format>Cells>Number>General
Once you have done that>F2 to edit cell>Enter

 

[Carolyn]

Thanks, Eduardo. I can't test your suggestion because at this time it is
returning zero. The next time I try, it may return the display of the
formula.

 

[Dave Peterson]

If you see the formula, then the cell could be formatted as text.

So reformat that cell as General (or anything but text) and reenter the formula
(that's important!).

Or you could be looking at formulas. Ctrl-` (ctrl-backquote, to the left of the
1/! on my USA keyboard) is a way to toggle this (like Eduardo wrote).

If your values aren't really number, then the count could be zero.

If you try =counta(A1:A10) (adjust the range to match), do you get a non-zero
result?

If yes, then your numbers aren't really numbers.

Depending on the problem (extra whitespace) or values entered after the cell has
been formatted as Text or even formulas that return text:

=if(x99="a","1","2")

Then the fix will be different.

 

[Carolyn]

Thanks, Dave.

I have played with cell format without success. I have the same set up in
another workbook where both the range being counted and the count formula
cell are formated as text. That's what really puzzles me. I wouldn't expect
text to work but it seems to in the workbook I just described. The numbers
being counted in the workbook are now general and is the cell where the count
formula is. Also, the numbers in the range are referring to worksheets.
Those were text in the worksheet but I have changed them to general also. No
luck. And, CountA is returning a number.

 

[Carolyn]

Thanks, Roger.

I have played with cell format without success. I have the same set up in
another workbook where both the range being counted and the count formula
cell are formated as text. That's what really puzzles me. I wouldn't expect
text to work but it seems to in the workbook I just described. The numbers
being counted in the workbook are now general and is the cell where the count
formula is. Also, the numbers in the range are referring to worksheets.
Those were text in the worksheet but I have changed them to general also. No
luck. And, CountA is returning a number.

 

[Roger Govier]

Hi Carolyn

If you would like to mail me a copy of the workbook, with a description
of your problem, I will be happy to take a look.

To mail direct
roger at technology4u dot co dot uk
Change the at and dots to make a valid email address

 

[Dave Peterson]

Remember that changing the numberformat isn't enough. You have to change the
value, too.

So do this on a couple of test cells to see if it works.

Change the numberformat to General.
And retype the value -- from scratch.

Then look at your =count() formula to see what it evaluates to.