Format the cell as General, but start the entry with an apostrophe:
'=============
or
'----------

Excel has trouble displaying values in cells formatted as text when the length
of the string is between 255 and 1024 characters.

But you have to force the entry to be treated as text if you start with a
character that looks like you're entering a formula.

Brian wrote:

I have a workbook that has several worksheets init that are alike. They
populate averages for grades. But there are comment blocks for input from the
evaluators. Some evaluators like to make their comments in bullets and use
"=" or "-" which turns on a green light for the formula to start trying to
figure out the formula and causing a big mess. Is there a way to format
certain cells to not allow formula?
Thanks

--

Dave Peterson