Simple formulas don't work (very very weird)

[brandon_05mn]

Please help, this is my problem. Some formulas don't work when I type them in.

For example, when I type this formula, it will say there is an error.
"=SUM(1,2,3)"
That does not work, it says invalid format.
but if I do a formula with a range (instead of commas), it works. Such as
"=SUM(A5:C5)" - that works just fine.

I am guessing this has something to do with the commas in the formula. When
I start to type a formula, a formula helper thing will be displayed that is
showing the format of the formula. This format example does not include
commas. It uses spaces instead. So I tried to type the formula with spaces
(instead of commas) and that doesn't work either.

I consider myself a advanced user of excel, I have extensive experience with
excel formulas, so this is really bothering me (especially since I can't type
many formulas because they need commas and that doesn't work).

One more thing. I have existing spreadsheets that I am using (I have created
these months ago). On these, I have formulas that contain commas and they all
work. But if I double-click on the cell (as if I am going to edit the
formula, but I don't edit it, I keep it the same) and press enter, the same
error appears. If I hit escape, it cancels the formula edit request and goes
back to how it was.

I did try to uninstall and reinstall excel, that didn't work. But I think it
is still pulling my info from somewhere.

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Roger Govier]

Hi

Check your regional settings to see what your delimiter is.
In many regions, you need to use the semicolon ; instead of the comma , as
the separator.
Try
=SUM(1;2;3)

--
Regards
Roger Govier

Please help, this is my problem. Some formulas don't work when I type them
in.

For example, when I type this formula, it will say there is an error.
"=SUM(1,2,3)"
That does not work, it says invalid format.
but if I do a formula with a range (instead of commas), it works. Such as
"=SUM(A5:C5)" - that works just fine.

I am guessing this has something to do with the commas in the formula.
When
I start to type a formula, a formula helper thing will be displayed that
is
showing the format of the formula. This format example does not include
commas. It uses spaces instead. So I tried to type the formula with spaces
(instead of commas) and that doesn't work either.

I consider myself a advanced user of excel, I have extensive experience
with
excel formulas, so this is really bothering me (especially since I can't
type
many formulas because they need commas and that doesn't work).

One more thing. I have existing spreadsheets that I am using (I have
created
these months ago). On these, I have formulas that contain commas and they
all
work. But if I double-click on the cell (as if I am going to edit the
formula, but I don't edit it, I keep it the same) and press enter, the
same
error appears. If I hit escape, it cancels the formula edit request and
goes
back to how it was.

I did try to uninstall and reinstall excel, that didn't work. But I think
it
is still pulling my info from somewhere.

Thanks for all of your help.

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signature database 4244 (20090715) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

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[JLatham]

Just to add to, and backup, what Roger said: I tried =SUM(1,2,3) on my system
and it works fine, returning 6. So I also suspect that your regional setting
is such that you should be using =SUM(1;2;3) to get the expected results.