The "ctrl ~" alllows you to toggle between the value derived from a formula
and the formula itself. But the formula will show in the cell and not calc
if the cell is formated as "Text" before the formula is entered or it does
not have the "=" sign to tell excel that you want it to be a formula. Check
the basics first and don't "over think" the problem!

Mike Rogers


"David McRitchie" wrote:

You should place the L in the formula within double quotes to
indicate that it is text.

There are some laptops evidently that don't have a key to the left
of the number row. Only heard of it once. If that is the case see
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/excel.htm#laptops

I think the tendency in laptops now is wider and less height on the
monitor -- so they fit into laptop bags easier or to save manfacturing
costs. .

---
HTH,
David McRitchie, Microsoft MVP - Excel
My Excel Pages: http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/excel.htm
Search Page: http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/search.htm

"Bernard Liengme" wrote in message ...
The keyboard combination CTRL+` is used to DISPLAY formulas.
You do have accent grave: it is to the left of 1 on the top row of the 'typewriter' keys.
best wishes
--
Bernard V Liengme
www.stfx.ca/people/bliengme
remove caps from email

"jbclem" wrote in message ...
I'm using Excel 2002 for the first time and trying to place a function into a cell. I 'm using IF(N44=L, M44-L44, L44-M44) .
Which is supposed to mean If the letter L is in cell N44, then subtract number in L44 from number in M44. Otherwise subtract M44
from L44.

If have 2 main questions...First, how to get the result of the function to show. Right now I see the function typed out in the
cell, but no result. Help files say use CNTL and + and accent grave. Unfortunately, my english keyboard has no accent grave, so
I'm stumped right there. I haven't found another way to get the results to show.

Second...can I use the letter L in N44 to trigger this function, or does it have to be another number?


Any suggestions?

jc