Hiding numbers of a functon

[Guest]

I have a column of a simple function. It is to multiply one cell entry by 4
and then add the answers of all the rows at the bottom. The function is
simply written Product (H5,4), (H6,4), (H7,4) and so on. Once I set up the
formula in the cell and click out, '4' is shown in each cell. When I re-enter
to check the formula, the function box shows the correct formula and says
(H5=0), 4=4. Is this the new math? Anyway, with all the column's cells
displaying '4', the total at the bottom adds those fours to correct cells
above, throwing off the answer.
Why do those fours not dissappear?

 

[T. Valko]

Product ignores empty cells. So, if H5 = empty the only number to multiply
is 4. So, 4 is the result.

You don't need the Product function to do this. Just enter:

=H5*4

Now, if H5 is empty the result will be 0.

Biff

 

[Guest]

That did the trick. Does the star symbol just designate 'multiply'?

 

[T. Valko]

Does the star symbol just designate 'multiply'?

Yes

Biff