Formula error - Excel 2007

[Trish]

Hi , I have used Excel for many years, but, for some reason, I am having a
problem with what I thought was a simple formula.

I am trying to work out a depreciation figure, and the net written down value.

B35 Puchased 14/05/2008
B36 Private Use 50%
B37 Cost $899
B38 Days owned: 47/365
B39 Depreciation Rate 33.33%
B40 Depreciation Amount $149.82
B41 Dimished Value as at 30 June 2008 #VALUE!

My formula for B40 was =(B37*B39)*50/100. That gives me the result of
$149.82. However, I also need to include in the formula the number of days
owned. If I add *B38, I get an error. I have tried typing it in, pointing
and clicking, you name it, including experimenting with brackets. As a
result, my diminished value is coming up as an error too. It is okay as the
formulal in B40 stands at the moment, but I get an error as soon as I try to
factor in the time owned.

There must be something staring me in the face, but I just cannot see it.
Any help would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave Peterson]

47/365 isn't a number. It's plain old text.

You could use:
=47/365
and format to show the fraction

Or maybe you could put the values in separate cells.

 

[Trish]

Thanks Dave. Actually the cell references I gave were for the figures (but
i realise I didn't make that clear). Yesterday I tried putting = in front
of the 47/365 and it went haywire, but today, on your suggestion, I tried
again and it worked! A little gremlin somewhere ... Very many thanks for
your help. Best wishes.