Some cells not calculating

Only SOME cells, from SOME rows, even though the setup is identical to other rows. Info:
- Preference is set to calculate sheets automatically.
- I don't know if it matters, but I am using "set precision as displayed" so auditor hand checks with a calculator will match.
- Limit iterations doesn't seem to matter on or off.
- This has been reworked from a sheet someone unknown made at some unknown time in the past. I rebuilt it as the password was AWOL.

Here's the deal:

I have some sets of cells in a row which multiply together into another column Q:
=(K45*M45*O45)/60
It's taking occurrences per day, times minutes per occurrence, times occurrences per week, converting into minutes, 3 decimal places. This part is always fine.

there are a number of these rows, for different activities. Then they all get added up:
=SUM(Q45:Q48)
or, in another spot with the same kind of problem, the formula is done like this:
=Q53+Q54+Q55
These are displayed to two decimal places, in a cell composed of several merged rows and two merged columns E-F. Merges are because this was made to match an ancient paper form.

The same number is then copied to another column, also to a cell composed of several merged rows, in column I:
=E45

AND NOW FOR THE WEIRD PART:
If I update K or M or O, column Q updates fine-usually. BUT, if I change certain rows, columns E-F and column I do not update! (Unless I click on those cells).
If I change other rows in their range, it all works.

For example, if I update K45, M45, O45, there is no recalc. But change K46/47/48 or M46/47/48 or O46/47/48 and update is fine.


Similarly, row 53 doesn't update, but 54 and 55 are fine.


I've copied/paste special the formulas, I've rebuilt them from scratch within the cells...it's just driving me cuckoo.

If Calculation is set to Automatic, it may be that the cells are formatted as text.


Regards

I don't know if this will work or even be relevant, but I have noticed that in some occasions when a sheet has been extensively modified, it can refuse to repaint (rather than calculate).
This problem mainly happens with excess amounts of named ranges or conditional formatting that have been simplified/removed.

If you scroll past the cells that are not calculating then back, do they refresh?
If they do then copy the sheet to a new workbook and see if the copy sheet works as expected, if it does, copy it back to the source workbook and delete the original then rename the sheet accordingly.

It might be worth a try in any case, I suspect there are other scenarios where this bug exists.

I guess we're all a little in the dark here.

I think you're going to need to post a sample workbook with some typical data.

I have to say, gut reaction is that merged cells are at the root of the problem and I, like many others on the forum, would advocate that you don't touch them ... even with a very long, pointy stick.


Regards

Okay, another stab in the dark, you're using a mac, is your copy of office up to date?

Another member recently had problems running perfectly good formulae the problem was that his software was not brought up to date after reinstalling for some reason.
(pointed to by romperstomper)

Make sure you have the latest version of 2008 on your machine.