Formula entry using "+" causing format errors

[Guest]

When I enter a division formula by starting with a + sign. I get strange
formating results.

1. enter the formula "+547/5" in a cell
2. change the format of that cell to accounting
3. reenter the formula

The format gets changed to a fraction and the formula is converted to a
number.

What's happening?

 

[Guest]

Formulas in Excel start with the = symbol. That's the basic rule.

 

[Guest]

Don't use a + sign. Positive 547 divided by positive 5 need only be entered
as =547/7.

For negative numbers, you DO need to enter the sign: =-547/-7 etc.

Dave

 

[SteveW]

I had to try this for myself
never would believe it otherwise.

odd, but of course +123/6 is usually entered as =123/6

so I can only assume its treating the + as some sort of accounting code.

odd bearing in mind accounting doesn't usually invlove fractions

 

[SteveW]

I had to try this for myself
never would believe it otherwise.

odd, but of course +123/6 is usually entered as =123/6

so I can only assume its treating the + as some sort of accounting code.

odd bearing in mind accounting doesn't usually invlove fractions

Steve

 

[Guest]

I should also ask, what version of Excel are you using, AND what is the
format of the cell when you first enter the formula.

In my copy of Excel (2003 or 2007) just starting with a new book, entering
either
=547/5
or
+547/5
or
=+547/5
results in Excel correcting my 'errors' and displaying a result of 109.4 in
all cases.
And in the cases where I entered +547/5 or =+547/5, Excel changed them both
to become =547/5

 

[SteveW]

try setting format to accounting before entering +547/5 or even =547/5

Steve

 

[SteveW]

try it with = then - same thing

Steve

Formulas in Excel start with the = symbol. That's the basic rule.

 

[SteveW]

try it
it converts to fraction fomat even if you type =547/

Steve

 

[SteveW]

if this was a test 3 posters have failed so far.
they aren't reading all of your post

It must be something to do with the Accounting format
the leading + or = isn't needed

1/1 would give 01-Jan, but here it doesn't
so it must be to allow fraction input
can't find anything about it though


Steve

 

[Guest]

Odd.

Why would you ever put a + sign in front of a formula? I can only see a
need for putting a - sign in front of a formula, either to negate a positive
number or to make positive a negative number.

Dave

 

[Guest]

What exactly are you doing?

I set the cell format to Accounting, then entered =100/2. Result: $50.

Last I checked this was correct. Is there some new math I'm unaware of?

 

[SteveW]

in fact you don't even need the +
just enter 1/4

which would normally be a date

Again can't see why Accounting would want 1/4 to go in as fraction
*and* change the format of the cell to Fraction

Steve

 

[SteveW]

new workbook
a1
Format cell as Accounting
enter 5
result £5.00

enter 1/4
result
1/4
and format of cell changes

enter 5
result 5

Im on Excel 2000

Steve

 

[Guest]

Guys, thanks for the input. I'm using Office 2003.

I understand the proper way to enter the formula is starting with =. I just
could not believe the result.

You have confirmed it's not just me and my computer's not haunted. I think
this has something to do with Excel's transition functions.

In any case, I can easily avoid the poblem. Thanks again
-
Steve