The problem occurs when mathematical operators are the first character on the
left.

If you were to type something like "two + two = four" Excel's calculation
engine would ignore the + and = signs.

However, if you were to type "-2 + 2 = 0" and you wanted to retain that
text, you would have to put an apostrophe to the left of the - sign,
otherwise, Excel would resolve the above statement to TRUE.

Dave
--
Brevity is the soul of wit.


"James Silverton" wrote:

Hello, Marcelo!
You wrote on Tue, 19 Sep 2006 07:03:02 -0700:

M format the cell as text or type " ' " (no quotes) before the
M + or - etc.

M hth
M --
M regards from Brazil
M Thanks in advance for your feedback.
M Marcelo

M "jools" escreveu:

?? How do you type +, - etc in a cell without Excel
?? automatically assuming that you want to create a formula?

The advice to use ....'.... is obviously correct but when does
the problem arise? I was interested enough to see what happens
so I typed

I just want see + or -

into a general cell in a new worksheet. What I typed is what I
got so I wonder if the problem is not with embedded operators
but perhaps those at the beginning.


James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.comcast.not