Equal sign in toolbar

[Guest]

I'm using Excel 2003 SP2. I used to use Excel 2000 and I've noticed
something in 2003 that is annoying me but I can't seem to find how to change
it to what I used to see in 2000.

I have 4 bars at the top of the window when I have a spreadsheet open.
File Edit View Insert etc
Toolbar with icons showing new, open file, save file etc
Another toolbar with icons for font, font size, bold, italicize etc
The last bar shows the cell I'm sitting in, and the formula if applicable,
otherwise this box is blank.

In 2000 this last bar used to have an = sign directly to the left of the
spot that displays the formula. If I entered a number into a cell (ie
23.98), hit enter and moved on then later came back and realized I now needed
a formula (23.98+45.21) then I would left click on the equal sign with the
mouse and it would enter an = into the beginning of the cell and my cursor
would go to the right of the 8 in 23.98 ready for further input. In 2003
there is an italicized fx instead of the = sign. What happened to the =?
How do I put it back instead of or in addition to the italicized fx.

Hopefully this makes sense. I have a multipage spreadsheet for my budget
and I don't always think to put in the = and having that = sign beside the
display box for the formula made life a lot easier.

Thanks for any input,
Pamala

 

[Gord Dibben]

This was changed in version 2002 and has remained through 2003 in spite of it
not being a very popular move by Excel Developers.

No way to get it back.

You can place the "=" sign on the Toolbar but functionality is not the same.
It just enters an "=" sign in the cell.

But note when you enter the "=" sign in the cell a list of Functions appears in
the NameBox.


Gord Dibben Excel MVP

 

[Guest]

Thanks for letting me know, I kind of figured that was the case but thought
I'd asked. (I love this forum, I get all sorts of questions answered!)
Another thing to add to the list of annoying updates from the developers.
It's almost like the developers don't actually use the programs they design.
Maybe it will get corrected in 2007? Or is that just wishful thinking?

Pamala

 

[Gord Dibben]

I don't use 2007 which has been out for a few months but I think the missing "="
sign rermains.

A 2007 user could tell us.

hint, hint, nudge, nudge. know what I mean? know what I mean?


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP