It's gone in xl2002+.

You could let your feelings be known via an email to:



And maybe you could drag the = icon to a toolbar close to the formula bar.

Tools|Customize|commands tab|Insert category
Look for the = icon and drag it to your favorite toolbar.

Not quite the same, though.

Sabine wrote:

Prior to Excel 2003, the formula bar used to indicate an '=' (equal sign);
however, now in Excel 2003, instead of the '=' (equal sign) the formula bar
displays the Function Key (fx). How can I return the formula bar back to the
equal sign instead of the function key?
--
Sabine

--

Dave Peterson