i do a simple sum(a1-a5). it will not return a value until i do an autosum
formula.

also- when i add a number to the the blank cell in the array, the sum
formula will not automatically calculate the sum until i do the autosum
function!

It sounds like you have Calculation set to manual.
Try this:

From the Excel main menu:
<tools<options<calculation tab
Check: Automatic

Does that help?
***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2002, WinXP


"aaron" wrote:

i do a simple sum(a1-a5). it will not return a value until i do an autosum
formula.

also- when i add a number to the the blank cell in the array, the sum
formula will not automatically calculate the sum until i do the autosum
function!

Try tools|Options|calculation tab
and check Automatic

And you don't need =sum().

Just use:
=a1-a5



aaron wrote:

i do a simple sum(a1-a5). it will not return a value until i do an autosum
formula.

also- when i add a number to the the blank cell in the array, the sum
formula will not automatically calculate the sum until i do the autosum
function!

--

Dave Peterson

=SUM(A1:A5) not =SUM(A1-A5) which would subtract A5 from A1 & return that
result.
Also, check to ensure you have calculation set to automatic or manual
(tools/options/calculation)

"aaron" wrote in message
...
i do a simple sum(a1-a5). it will not return a value until i do an autosum
formula.

also- when i add a number to the the blank cell in the array, the sum
formula will not automatically calculate the sum until i do the autosum
function!

First use Tools | Options and open the Calculation tab; ensure that
calculations are set to automatic

Second: no need to use SUM for every arithmetic operation: =SUM(A1-A5) is
better coded as =A1-A5
But you may have mistyped this for =SUM(A1:A5), if so please ignore my rant!

best wishes
--
Bernard V Liengme
www.stfx.ca/people/bliengme
remove caps from email

"aaron" wrote in message
...
i do a simple sum(a1-a5). it will not return a value until i do an autosum
formula.

also- when i add a number to the the blank cell in the array, the sum
formula will not automatically calculate the sum until i do the autosum
function!