Thread: Formula text in cell rather than result.

I have a spreadsheet that I have been using for over a year and have had a data set on another sheet within the workbook where I do vlookups. Since I have more users needing the data, I have moved it into a standalone data file where it is accessed by several people on our network with no problems. I am even accessing the data file from the original spreadsheet for some data that has recently been requested.

What I am trying to do, is to convert all of my vlookup formulas to look to the standalone data file rather than to a set inside the workbook. When I change the source, however, instead of printing the result in the cell, it prints the formula itself. If I copy the original formula back into the cell it works fine with the data it has been accessing. But even if I just edit the formula to change the source or rekey the entire formula with the external source it just prints the formula in the cell rather than the result. No error, just the formula equal sign and all.

Does anyone have any idea what I have managed to screw up this time?

Thanks

Try preformatting the cells as General before updating the formulas.

Well, I thought I had tried that. Obviously not as it worked like a charm. Thanks. I don't understand though, why it wouldn't work with the format that was already there, but I'm not one to argue with success. Thanks again.

If the original format is Text then the entering anything in the cell will be "text", even entering what you think is a formula.... General is the General format that accepts text, numbers and formulas...