Excel only shows formula and not result

[Guest]

I am working in Excel 2000 and I have an entire column that I have typed in a
function and it shows the function rather than the result.

For instance:
In the formula bar for cell A1, I typed =5+3. When I hit enter, the cell
has =5+3 rather than 8.

This is not an issue with my views because it is only happening in the one
column. I can go a column on another worksheet or even all the way to the
right of my data and the formula works just fine.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Guest]

Sounds like the col was formatted as Text, unknown to you of course.
Re-format as either general or number (Format>Cells ..), then click inside
the formula bar and press Enter. Note that re-formatting alone will not
trigger, you must press Enter again.

 

[Gord Dibben]

Sounds like the column cells were pre-formatted as Text.

Re-format to General then F2 + Enter to re-enter the formula.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP