When using the VLOOKUP or CONCATENATE functions, after entering all the
necessary parameters, the result of the function is the function equation
itself. For instance, here is what my VLOOKUP function is returning for a
value :=VLOOKUP(C2,'[Material Class BO Download.xls]Material Class BO
Download'!$A$2:$B$895,2,false)

I have used the VLOOKUP function before so I know it's not an issue with
equation, it has something to do with how the cell is formatted because I can
do the VLOOKUP successfully in another column, but then I have to copy/paste
the results into my intended column

Try this:

Select the problem cell
<Data<Format<Number tab
Category: set this to General
(it's probably set to Text)
Click the [OK] button

Press the [F2] key, then press the [Enter] key.
(to trigger Excel to implement the change)

Does that help?

***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2002, WinXP-Pro


"Rocco2526" wrote:

When using the VLOOKUP or CONCATENATE functions, after entering all the
necessary parameters, the result of the function is the function equation
itself. For instance, here is what my VLOOKUP function is returning for a
value :=VLOOKUP(C2,'[Material Class BO Download.xls]Material Class BO
Download'!$A$2:$B$895,2,false)

I have used the VLOOKUP function before so I know it's not an issue with
equation, it has something to do with how the cell is formatted because I can
do the VLOOKUP successfully in another column, but then I have to copy/paste
the results into my intended column

This does work, but if/when you press F2 again it just turns right back into
text again? Any suggestions to solve it permanently? My formula's are on a
hidden tab so it shouldn't get corrupted, but this means you can never
re-edit your formula?

~Jessica

"Ron Coderre" wrote:

Try this:

Select the problem cell
<Data<Format<Number tab
Category: set this to General
(it's probably set to Text)
Click the [OK] button

Press the [F2] key, then press the [Enter] key.
(to trigger Excel to implement the change)

Does that help?

***********
Regards,
Ron

XL2002, WinXP-Pro


"Rocco2526" wrote:

When using the VLOOKUP or CONCATENATE functions, after entering all the
necessary parameters, the result of the function is the function equation
itself. For instance, here is what my VLOOKUP function is returning for a
value :=VLOOKUP(C2,'[Material Class BO Download.xls]Material Class BO
Download'!$A$2:$B$895,2,false)

I have used the VLOOKUP function before so I know it's not an issue with
equation, it has something to do with how the cell is formatted because I can
do the VLOOKUP successfully in another column, but then I have to copy/paste
the results into my intended column