Cell references in formulas become text

[David E. Jones]

I'm working with Excel 2003, and the behavior for selecting cell
references seems to have changed from the way it worked in Excel 97.
When I begin a formula (inserting "=", which no longer seems to be
available as a clickable icon), then move to a cell and select it, the
selected cell reference shows in blue, as a reference should, but as
soon as I click the check mark or move the cursor out the cell, the cell
reference, e.g., =(C3), simply turns into text "C3".

Where am I going wrong?

Thanks!

--
David E. Jones

[SteveG]

David,

This has happened to me is if the cell where you are entering the formula was formatted as Text prior to entering it. So as you said, when I typed in = and then selected the cell reference (C3) the formula showed up in the cell as text:
=C3

Delete your text, change the formatting to general and then try again. That seemed to work for me.

The other possibility that I can think of is go to the Tools/Options/View Tab and see if the Window Options Formulas check box is selected. If it is it will make them show up on your sheet.

Hope this helps.


Cheers,

Steve

[Gary''s Student]

After entering the = sign and clicking on your target; touch enter.
--
Gary''s Student


"David E. Jones" wrote:

> I'm working with Excel 2003, and the behavior for selecting cell
> references seems to have changed from the way it worked in Excel 97.
> When I begin a formula (inserting "=", which no longer seems to be
> available as a clickable icon), then move to a cell and select it, the
> selected cell reference shows in blue, as a reference should, but as
> soon as I click the check mark or move the cursor out the cell, the cell
> reference, e.g., =(C3), simply turns into text "C3".
>
> Where am I going wrong?
>
> Thanks!
>
> --
> David E. Jones
>

[David E. Jones]

SteveG wrote:

> David,
>
> This has happened to me is if the cell where you are entering the
> formula was formatted as Text prior to entering it. So as you said,
> when I typed in = and then selected the cell reference (C3) the formula
> showed up in the cell as text:
> =C3
>
> Delete your text, change the formatting to general and then try again.
> That seemed to work for me.
>
> The other possibility that I can think of is go to the
> Tools/Options/View Tab and see if the Window Options Formulas check box
> is selected. If it is it will make them show up on your sheet.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Steve
>
>

Steve,

I think you've hit on it. The cells were formatted as text. Making the
change allowed the cell reference to be accepted. I think this is a
change from Excel 97, but now that I know, it will no longer be a
surprise. Thanks.

David

--
David E. Jones
[email protected]