Excel Calculator always requires an = before a math function, can be turned off setting?

I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start the
calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget to
type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there a
setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
answer.

I always have Excel running and it's also my calculator. I never use use a
calculator anymore!

The answer to your question is no.

The equal sign tells Excel that you're entering a formula that needs to be
calculated.

You can use a plus sign (+) instead of the equal sign (=) if you always use
the numeric keypad. It's more ergonomic than "reaching" for the equal sign.
Excel will accept the plus sign and upon hitting ENTER, will automatically
change it to an equal sign.

+44+66 [Enter]

Biff

"auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start the
> calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget to
> type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there a
> setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
> answer.
>
>

See reply in .Functions

Biff

"auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start the
> calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget to
> type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there a
> setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
> answer.
>
>

No way to turn that off.

Type in the = sign.

Same like starting your car..........need to insert key and turn to start.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Tue, 1 Aug 2006 22:40:10 -0400, "auto" <[email protected]> wrote:

>I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start the
>calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget to
>type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there a
>setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
>answer.
>

thanks, I did not realise it convert the + to an =.
Was it always like that, even in the older excel versions?


"Biff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I always have Excel running and it's also my calculator. I never use use a
> calculator anymore!
>
> The answer to your question is no.
>
> The equal sign tells Excel that you're entering a formula that needs to be
> calculated.
>
> You can use a plus sign (+) instead of the equal sign (=) if you always
use
> the numeric keypad. It's more ergonomic than "reaching" for the equal
sign.
> Excel will accept the plus sign and upon hitting ENTER, will automatically
> change it to an equal sign.
>
> +44+66 [Enter]
>
> Biff
>
> "auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start
the
> > calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget to
> > type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there a
> > setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
> > answer.
> >
> >
>
>

no sure what you mean by that?

> See reply in .Functions
>
> Biff
>
> "auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start
the
> > calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget to
> > type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there a
> > setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
> > answer.
> >
> >
>
>

> Was it always like that, even in the older excel versions?

I'm not sure how far back it goes.

Biff

"auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> thanks, I did not realise it convert the + to an =.
> Was it always like that, even in the older excel versions?
>
>
> "Biff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I always have Excel running and it's also my calculator. I never use use
>> a
>> calculator anymore!
>>
>> The answer to your question is no.
>>
>> The equal sign tells Excel that you're entering a formula that needs to
>> be
>> calculated.
>>
>> You can use a plus sign (+) instead of the equal sign (=) if you always
> use
>> the numeric keypad. It's more ergonomic than "reaching" for the equal
> sign.
>> Excel will accept the plus sign and upon hitting ENTER, will
>> automatically
>> change it to an equal sign.
>>
>> +44+66 [Enter]
>>
>> Biff
>>
>> "auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> >I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start
> the
>> > calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget
>> > to
>> > type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there a
>> > setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
>> > answer.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

> no sure what you mean by that?

Your message was also posted to the Worksheet.Functions forum where there
are also replies.

Biff

"auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> no sure what you mean by that?
>
>> See reply in .Functions
>>
>> Biff
>>
>> "auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>> >I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start
> the
>> > calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget
>> > to
>> > type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there a
>> > setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
>> > answer.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

i c, tx

"Biff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > no sure what you mean by that?
>
> Your message was also posted to the Worksheet.Functions forum where there
> are also replies.
>
> Biff
>
> "auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > no sure what you mean by that?
> >
> >> See reply in .Functions
> >>
> >> Biff
> >>
> >> "auto" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> news:[email protected]...
> >> >I often use excel as a fancy calculator. But often I forget to start
> > the
> >> > calculator with the = sign. So if I want to add 44 + 66, I forget
> >> > to
> >> > type in an = sign first, an it gives me an error message. Is there
a
> >> > setting to turn that off, so I can type in 44 + 66 and it gives me an
> >> > answer.
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>