Excel

[LongBow]

I have a range of values. A1 - C1
For example A1 = John, B1 = Q., C1 = Customer
In cell D1 I enter =+A1 and get the value "John".
However, the next time I do this I get the result +A1.
The results in D1 have change from the value in A1 to the simple text
entered in D1.
Since A1 - C1 is a range I used in another sheet, I was wondering if I
accidentaly changed something that causes cell reference to be swithed to
constants.

Thanks

 

[Dave Peterson]

First, you don't need that + sign in your =+A1 formula. =A1 is sufficient.

And I bet you're reallying getting =+A1 as the result.

Saved from a previous post.

Excel likes to help.

Try this on a test worksheet.
Select A1 and hit ctrl-; (to put the date in the cell)
now select B1 and type: =a1

Notice that excel changed the format of B1 to match the format in A1.

Now format D1 as Text.
put ASDF in D1
put =D1 in E1
You see ASDF.

With E1 selected, hit the F2 key and then enter (to pretend that you're changing
the formula).

Excel has "helped" you by changing that cell's format to text.

I don't know of any way of changing this behavior.

I just select the cell, and reformat it to General (or whatever I wanted). I
hit F2 and then enter (to reenter that formula).

Sometimes this feature is nice, sometimes it ain't.

 

[LongBow]

Thank you. It was driving me crazy.
--
LongBow

First, you don't need that + sign in your =+A1 formula. =A1 is sufficient.

And I bet you're reallying getting =+A1 as the result.

Saved from a previous post.

Excel likes to help.

Try this on a test worksheet.
Select A1 and hit ctrl-; (to put the date in the cell)
now select B1 and type: =a1

Notice that excel changed the format of B1 to match the format in A1.

Now format D1 as Text.
put ASDF in D1
put =D1 in E1
You see ASDF.

With E1 selected, hit the F2 key and then enter (to pretend that you're changing
the formula).

Excel has "helped" you by changing that cell's format to text.

I don't know of any way of changing this behavior.

I just select the cell, and reformat it to General (or whatever I wanted). I
hit F2 and then enter (to reenter that formula).

Sometimes this feature is nice, sometimes it ain't.