Format that cell as General--or any number format, but Text.

Then select the cell
hit F2 and then enter.

If that doesn't work, try:
tools|options|view tab.
Make sure formulas is not checked.

Millerk wrote:

I have a workbook with two sheets, one is the master list and the second has
statistical data reflected from sheet one. I'm entering the formula below
into the cell on sheet 2 and it's giving me the formula written out in the
cell instead of doing the calculation. I've looked at cell format and just
can't see what I'm missing that's causing this to occur. Any help?

=COUNTIF('Students Taught'!C2:C2001,"ab")

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Dave Peterson