It sounds like you previously had Excel set up to behave like Lotus 1-2-3 :\

If that's what you really want....try this:
From the Excel 2003 Main Menu:
<tools<options<transition tab
Check: Transition formula entry

Does that help?

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Regards,

Ron
Microsoft MVP (Excel)
(XL2003, Win XP)

"Jon A" wrote in message
...
How can I add numbers within a cell without entering the "equal sign"
first?
I used to be able to do this. This is a problem in Excel 2007 and 2003.