Why does formula show rather than results (not in text format)

[Guest]

I'm using the sum function to add 6 numbers in excel. In one particular
target cell, it refuses to print the answer; instead it prints the formula. I
have made sure that each of the 6 numbers and the target cell are formatted
"number", not "text".

 

[Pete_UK]

You might have the sheet set to manual calculation - go to Tools |
Options | Calculation (tab) and ensure that Automatic is ticked. If you
want to leave it at manual, you can press F9 to force Excel to
recalculate.

Hope this helps.

Pete

 

[Niek Otten]

Formatting as Number after you entered the formula doesn't help; the cell was formatted as text *before* you entered the formula.
Format as General or Number *and* re-enter the formula (F2, ENTER)

--
Kind regards,

Niek Otten

| I'm using the sum function to add 6 numbers in excel. In one particular
| target cell, it refuses to print the answer; instead it prints the formula. I
| have made sure that each of the 6 numbers and the target cell are formatted
| "number", not "text".

 

[Alan]

Simply changing the cell formatting isn't enough. If its just one cell,
click it, click in the formula bar and hit F2. For lots of cells, enter '1'
in a convenient empty cell, copy it, highlight the offending cells and paste
special, multiply, OK,
Regards,
Alan.

 

[Guest]

That was the key! Thanks, Niek!