You could have display options set to show formulas.

Hit CTRL + ` to toggle view formulas on/off.

Or the cell may be pre-formatted as Text.

Try change format to General then F2 and Enter


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:05:01 -0700, Joanne
wrote:

I'm discouraged ... have been trying to create a very simple inventory sheet
on Excel. Addition works just fine ... but multiplication just won't work.

I want to multiply the number in cell C3 by the number in cell D3. I want
the answer in E3 ... so I have positioned myself in E3, typed (=C3*D3) and
pressed ENTER. Nothing ! All I'm left with in E3 is =C3*D3 ... no product !

I had no problem with my Excel 2000 ... What's up with this Office Home &
Student 2007 ???