Formula Syntax?

  • Thread starter Thread starter QTE
  • Start date Start date
Q

QTE

Hi Excel Forum,

What do the two dashes (--) mean and do in the following formulas:


=SUMPRODUCT(--A1:G1)

=SUM(IF(ISNUMBER(--A1:G1),--A1:G1))
entered with ctrl + shift & enter

=SUMPRODUCT(--(ISNUMBER(A1:G1)))

Please explain.

Kind regards,
QT
 
Hi QTE!

No need to post to more than one group and it can cause wasted effort
of those who you want to help you.

Here's the reply I gave in New Users group:

The -- coerces Boolean returns of TRUE and FALSE to 1 and 0

Do a Google Search on "unary minus" and you'll find plenty of
discussions on the topic.
 
Hi Norman,

Great, thanks for explaining and referral. It did baffle me but no
anymore - thanks to you!

Kind regards,
QT
 
Hi QTE!

Never just accept solutions offered is a very good tip. It's the fish
v. learning to fish thing.
 
Hi Norman,

I think you're missing the point and key aspect of the Forum: people
sharing their knowledge. If I cannot find a solution myself or only
have half the picture, I think the most sensible thing to do is ask?

Norman said:
*Hi QTE!
Never just accept solutions offered is a very good tip. It's the
fish
v. learning to fish thing. *
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]

You accept the solution and try it out (it may not work or may need
further investigation). It's also a part of learning: you then build
on that. It's difficult to go forward if you hit a brick wall: I
couldn't fathom the syntax, and so I posed the question to the Forum.
"You cannot know what there is to know without asking?"

Kind regards,
QTE
 
Hi QTE!

The emphasis should have been on *accept*. Solutions are great but
understanding them is much better as that logic can be applied to many
other problems later.
 
Hi Norman,

I think we are going round in circles. If you refer to my first threa
of this post it was all about not understanding the logic of th
formula, that's why I posed the question about the two dashes withi
the formula.

Norman said:
*Hi QTE!
The emphasis should have been on *accept*. Solutions are great bu
understanding them is much better as that logic can be applied t
many other problems later.
--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed) *
Click to expand...

I wholeheartedly agree with your above sentiment. However, emphasis o
solution acceptance is misplaced in this instance. I do however
accept your explanation of the two dashes (--) that has enabled me t
understand the LOGIC of the original said mentioned SUMPRODUCT formul
syntax.

I recognised the SUMPRODUCT function but did not understand the usag
of the two dashes? And, now with your explanation I do understand th
LOGIC! behind it (even checked out unary minus - thank you!) . M
question was never about a solution but the logic behind the formula;
didn't understand it.

Believe it or not: I see the point you're making about understandin
the LOGIC so it can be applied to many solutions. The forum is one o
the resources I use to assist my lack of LOGIC!

Not to say that I do not request solutions but on this occasion it wa
a straightforward request for an explanation of the usage of specifi
characters within the syntax to give me an understanding of what th
formulas were doing - explaining the LOGIC.

When I do request solutions because I just have not got a clue or hav
a partial solution, I find it much better to look at something tha
firstly, is in a proper working state and for the most part is doin
what it should. I can then try and decipher what is going on, and ma
even go back to the author and ask for further explanation. I can se
nothing wrong with that approach in my book. Whether it be Logic tha
is lacking or the solution itself, I think its rare to get eithe
without asking questions?

My aim is to have a much better understanding of Excel as a whol
(logic and all!) but I've got a long, long, way to go! Gosh!... I'
exhausted already.

Hope you'll assist in the future - it's pretty obvious that I'll b
back.

Kind regards
QT
 
Hi Norman,

Norman said:
*Round in circles but in agreement.
--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed) *
Click to expand...

Most definitely, in agreement.

Cheers
Kind regards,
QT
 
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