Why, oh Why does it show me the formula instead of result

**TimB** · 10-23-2012, 11:33 AM

I am entering a simple formula =MIN(range) and it shows me the result. I make any edit (e.g., add $ so that I can copy the formula acros without rows changing), hit return, and it shows me the formula instead of the result. Now anytime I type a formula in that cell, it shows me the formula not the result.

What setting do I need to change?

This is Excel Umpty nine, I mean (hold on Microsoft office button, resources, about) Excel 2007.

Thank you.

Update:

This only happens when the range I am referencing (in this case, looking for the minumum value) contains some cells that have text values (in this case, eg. <25 ). If the range I am referencing in the MIN statement has all numerical values (in this case, the results of formulas) I do not have the problem stated above.

**jeffreybrown** · 10-23-2012, 11:38 AM

You are probably are in the Show Formulas mode

Formulas >> Formula Auditing >> Show formulas

or

On the keyboard >> Ctrl + `

**:) Sixthsense :)** · 10-23-2012, 11:42 AM

May be the cell is formatted as text that is the reason the formula is getting displayed by considering it as text data. Just select the cell or range and change the formatting to General and Press F2 and hit Enter.

If you would like to evaluate many formula's showing as formula instead of evaluated result then after changing the cell formatting as general just select the range and press Alt+D+E then Click Next>>Next>>Finish.

**TimB** · 10-23-2012, 11:49 AM

Jeff,

Thank you, but that is not it.

As I state in my update above, this problem only occures when the range being evaluated contains text - it does not happen if the range values are all numbers (in this case, results of formulas).

Tim

**jeffreybrown** · 10-23-2012, 12:40 PM

I don't know of any setting to cause this...happens with text but not numbers.

Does this scenario happen on a new worksheet or just the current one you are working with?