Formula is copying into cell. Please make it stop!

[paulhoskin]

Hello,

When I enter a formula, the formula copies into the cell. Eg in cell D501 I have entered =$D$500 as I want it to display what is in D500. However cell D501 now just says "$D$500". Also, if I drag this down it changes the numbers to 501, 502, 503 etc which it should not be doing due to the $.

All of the advice on the net points to pressing F9 or going to File/Option/Formulas and selecting Automatic. I have done this but it is still happening. I am baffled. Maybe there is some kind of lock on the cell.

Any help would be massively appreciated.

Thanks.

[mrice]

Is your cell formatted as text? If so, Try formatting it as general.

[paulhoskin]

You sir, are a legend. I knew it would be something simple. I swear I tried that before to no avail. Maybe something else I did whilst trying then made the changing it to general work. Either way you solved it and it now works. Thank you ever so much. I really appreciate it.