Editting a cell converts it to text!

[TonyR UK]

Hi

Please help, I have a spreadsheet and am performing simple lookups t
seperate files, however, when I paste the formula down or change it an
press enter it converts it to text (thus showing the formula rathe
than the outcome of the lookup).

Any advice appreciated!

Cheer

 

[Andy B]

Hi

It sounds lke the cell is already formatted as text. Make sure the target
cell is formatted as General before you start.

 

[Jim Rech]

If you enter a formula in a cell that has no number format (that is, it has
the General number format) and that formula references a cell that has a
number format other than General, then Excel will automatically assign that
number format to the formula cell.

I bet (when you started) your formula cell had the General number format,
and the cell you referenced had the Text number format.

If so, the solution is to give a specific number format to the formula cell,
or remove the Text number format from the referenced cell.

--
Jim Rech
Excel MVP
| Hi
|
| Please help, I have a spreadsheet and am performing simple lookups to
| seperate files, however, when I paste the formula down or change it and
| press enter it converts it to text (thus showing the formula rather
| than the outcome of the lookup).
|
| Any advice appreciated!
|
| Cheers
|
|
| ---
| Message posted
|

 

[Dave Peterson]

And one way to fix it:

select that range (column) and format|cells|number tab|General.

Then with that range still selected:
edit|replace
=
with
=

Excel will see your formulas as formulas again.

(but if you change them, they'll revert and you'll have to do it again!)