Why does Excel not multiply a number generated by an IF formula?

[Guest]

We are trying to do a simple <=PRODUCT> function where we multiply two cells:
the first cell is a number generated by an <=IF> function, and the second is
simply a cell with a single digit number. The result only shows the single
digit number, viz 4*3=3. Any ideas?

 

[Guest]

=PRODUCT(A1,B1)
or
=PRODUCT(A1:B1)

 

[T. Valko]

The result of your IF formula is probably TEXT.

What does your IF formula look like?

If you have numbers in quotes:

=IF(A1="x","10","no")

Then the result is TEXT.

=PRODUCT("10",3) = 3

PRODUCT will ignore the TEXT "10".

Remove the quotes from around the numbers in your IF formula.

Also, you don't really need the PRODUCT function.

=B1*B2

Will do the same thing.

Biff

 

[Guest]

This formula converts text value to value

=PRODUCT(--A1,--B1)

 

[T. Valko]

Better off fixing the problem at the source.

Biff

 

[Guest]

what does the if statement look like?