Hi,

I have been using functions in excel successfully before. All of sudden,
when i enter functions, excel does not show the calculated result, but rather
show the function itself. That is, if cell A1 is "abcde", in cell A2, i put
in =left(A1, 3). Cell A2 does not show "abc", but show "=left(A1, 3)"
literally. It is not just problem with left function, but every function. I
have tried ctrol+', but does not work.

I noticed that when i input the function in Cell B1, as soon as I start with
"=", the box that display "B1" on top will change to "sum" and grey out. I
wonder if this is something suspicious though.

Can anyone please help? Thanks.
--
Jenny

First try CNTRL+~
Second insure you cells are not formatted as Text
--
Gary''s Student
gsnu200710


"Jenny" wrote:

Hi,

I have been using functions in excel successfully before. All of sudden,
when i enter functions, excel does not show the calculated result, but rather
show the function itself. That is, if cell A1 is "abcde", in cell A2, i put
in =left(A1, 3). Cell A2 does not show "abc", but show "=left(A1, 3)"
literally. It is not just problem with left function, but every function. I
have tried ctrol+', but does not work.

I noticed that when i input the function in Cell B1, as soon as I start with
"=", the box that display "B1" on top will change to "sum" and grey out. I
wonder if this is something suspicious though.

Can anyone please help? Thanks.
--
Jenny

Jenny,

Either: Tools / Options "View" tab, UNcheck "Formulas"

or

Format the cell for General (it could be formatted for text) prior to entering your formula.

HTH,
Bernie
MS Excel MVP


"Jenny" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have been using functions in excel successfully before. All of sudden,
when i enter functions, excel does not show the calculated result, but rather
show the function itself. That is, if cell A1 is "abcde", in cell A2, i put
in =left(A1, 3). Cell A2 does not show "abc", but show "=left(A1, 3)"
literally. It is not just problem with left function, but every function. I
have tried ctrol+', but does not work.

I noticed that when i input the function in Cell B1, as soon as I start with
"=", the box that display "B1" on top will change to "sum" and grey out. I
wonder if this is something suspicious though.

Can anyone please help? Thanks.
--
Jenny

it works. Thank you!
--
Jenny


"Gary''s Student" wrote:

First try CNTRL+~
Second insure you cells are not formatted as Text
--
Gary''s Student
gsnu200710


"Jenny" wrote:

Hi,

I have been using functions in excel successfully before. All of sudden,
when i enter functions, excel does not show the calculated result, but rather
show the function itself. That is, if cell A1 is "abcde", in cell A2, i put
in =left(A1, 3). Cell A2 does not show "abc", but show "=left(A1, 3)"
literally. It is not just problem with left function, but every function. I
have tried ctrol+', but does not work.

I noticed that when i input the function in Cell B1, as soon as I start with
"=", the box that display "B1" on top will change to "sum" and grey out. I
wonder if this is something suspicious though.

Can anyone please help? Thanks.
--
Jenny