I have a problem with "LEFT" formula

[Guest]

I was trying to use LEFT to extract the first 4 digits. I used =Left(A1,4).
It gave me 2210 for A1. However, when i drag it down to A5, it gave me every
result as 2210. What is the problem? Thanks.

2210 - Airfare/Rail
2220 - Lodging
2230 - Ground Transportation
2240 - Meals
2250 - Entertainment

 

[Roger Govier]

Hi
Take a look at Tools>Options>Calculation and ensure it is set to
Automatic

--
Regards

Roger Govier


"a-frustrated-excel-user"

 

[Guest]

You are genius... follow on question, What difference does it make to set it
to Automatic ?

 

[Dave Peterson]

With calculation set to automatic, then any cell affected by any change will be
recaculated without you doing anything (except for waiting).

If you have a giant workbook with lots of calculations that take a long time to
recalculate, then you may want to turn calculation to manual. Then you can make
your changes without having to wait for that long time.

But before you trust what's displayed, you'll want to force a recalculation --
or even turn calculation to automatic.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your answer. Relating to my initial problem, what did i do
wrong?

 

[Roger Govier]

Hi

It may have been that the first file you loaded in Excel had been saved
with Calculation set to Manual.
Excel will follow the setting of the first file opened.
As Dave has said, unless you have a lot of formulae within a very big
sheet, you are best to change the setting to automatic and then save the
file in that state.

--
Regards

Roger Govier


"a-frustrated-excel-user"

 

[Guest]

Not fulling understood, but truly thanks.

Hi

It may have been that the first file you loaded in Excel had been saved
with Calculation set to Manual.
Excel will follow the setting of the first file opened.
As Dave has said, unless you have a lot of formulae within a very big
sheet, you are best to change the setting to automatic and then save the
file in that state.

--
Regards

Roger Govier


"a-frustrated-excel-user"