I think you're both right that it is being formatted as text, because it is
left-justified. Although this seems weird, since it is a formula for adding
and subtracting - shouldn't the computer know that's a number?

Let me clarify exactly what I've done and see if you can give me any more
specific pointers:
I downloaded the check register from microsoft's web page. It has the
standard register columns, and I use the one labeled c to mark things that
have cleared at the bank with an x. Then there is a column of debits and one
of credits. So at the bottom, I created a formula to add up the debits not
yet cleared and another to add up the credits not yet cleared so that I can
balance my bank statement (basically a recreation of the form that's on the
back of your bank statement). Here's a copy of the cells I added at the
bottom and the formulas (also note how the numbers are formatted in the last
3 rows, the ones with the formulas):

Statement Ending Balance: $1,645.92
Outstanding Debits: 3982.53
Outstanding Credits: 2476.9
Account Register Balance? 140.29

Formula for outstanding debits:
=IMSUB(SUM(F6:F499),SUMIF(E6:E499,"x",F6:F499))

Formula for outstanding
credits:=IMSUB(SUM(G6:G499),SUMIF(E6:E499,"x",G6:G 499))

And the formula for account register balance: =IMSUB(H501+G503,F502)


If I do need to add the =ISNUMBER command, I'm not sure how to do that when
these formulas are already there.

Thanks for working through this with me!
adrienne

"Niek Otten" wrote:

Isn't your cell actually text, although it may look like a number?
Try =ISNUMBER(A1)
If it is text,:
Format an empty cell as General. Enter the number 1. EditCopy. Select your
data. EditPaste Special, check Multiply.

--
Kind regards,

Niek Otten

"Adrienne" wrote in message
...
I downloaded the checkbook register from Microsoft.com and am trying to add
a
few cells at the end to quickly calculate my outstanding debits and
credits
so that I can balance my statements automatically. I figured out how to
write
the formula properly (eventually), but the cells will not take on the
currency format no matter what I do. I have tried pasting the format from
the
other cells within the register, tried clearing the format and reapplying
the
currency format, tried accounting, etc.