Clear the cell, make sure that the cell format is Not "Text" then re-enter
the formula.
Regards
Dave

"spartina_patens" wrote in
message ...
I am using Excel 2003. I type in a simple formula and all I get is the
text
(i.e. =sum(D2:D43)) that I typed in, not the value. I have tried using F9
and Tools - Options - Calculate (it is set to Automatic). I have tried
copying the data to a blank worksheet. Nothing works.

The data was originally downloaded into an XML format, which I then saved
as
.xls. This has happened every time I use data in this format.

Anyone else found a way to fix this?