BTW, -- is not specific to SUMPRODUCT, type this
=IF(--"2006-11-28"=TODAY(),"Yes","No") and see.

--

HTH

Bob Phillips

(replace xxxx in the email address with gmail if mailing direct)

"Dave F" wrote in message
...
I just typed that --alpha = 0.10, alpha = 0.05, and/or into a cell and
noticed that XL thinks I'm trying to type a formula.

When/why would you begin a formula with -- ?

I know -- can be used with SUMPRODUCT and other functions, but as the
beginning of a function??

And yes I know I can fix this by putting an apostrophe to the left. I
just
don't get what XL is thinking here...

Dave


--
Brevity is the soul of wit.