FORMULA showing in cell not the requested information

[KRZY4JESUS]

When I type a formula in a cell, it doesn't give me the requested data, it types the formula in the cell instead. It doesn't do it all the time, so I'm thinking something is clicked on certain spreadsheets I use regularly.

[judgeh59]

Usually that mean the cell is formatted to TEXT...

I usually remove the formula, set the format to general and re-input the formula....there probably is a quicker way....

[sktneer]

Or select the formula cell, change the format as General, press F2 (Function Key) and then press Enter.

[KRZY4JESUS]

I have already tried changing the format to GENERAL and to TEXT, with no success.

[shg]

Did you try sktneer's suggestion, AFTER changing the cell format?

Also, if the formula references a cell that is formatted as Text, Excel will annoyingly change the format of the cell containing the formula to Text if it is formatted as General. To avoid that, change the format of the formula cell to something other than General, e.g., Number.