Formula isn't calculating

**SandyMac6614** · 04-16-2013, 09:49 AM

When I enter a formula into a cell and click "ok" for it to calculate it doesn't - it just shows the formula in the cell. Does this mean I'm not using the correct formula?

I'm creating an index of report topics. I show the report name and topics in the first column, then in the second column indicate which pages in the report the topic can be found on. For example:

Awareness 3
Usage 5
Ratings 6-8

Because I'm using the "-" sign to indicate a range of pages, I've made all of the cells in this column text so if doesn't think it's a formula. I want to list the reports in order by the number of topics they contain, with the ones containing the most topics toward the front of the index and the ones with only one or two topics covered toward the back. So, I'm trying to count the number of cells for each report in which a topic is covered.

I've tried "counta" to count the number of cells that aren't empty.

I've also tried "countblank" to count the number of cells that are empty.

And, just in case, I've tried every other iteration of the count formula, but I get the same result with each - rather than calculating, the cell simply shows the formula.

And, no, I don't have the "show formula" turned on.

What am I doing wrong?

**Dave H9** · 04-16-2013, 09:53 AM

Are you using an "=" before the formula? Possibly a silly question but best just to check...

Dave H

**SandyMac6614** · 04-16-2013, 09:58 AM

Yes, I am starting out with the "="

**Dave H9** · 04-16-2013, 10:01 AM

Can you post an example sheet demonstrating the problem. I'm sure someone will be able to figure it out.

Dave H

**ChemistB** · 04-16-2013, 10:06 AM

The most likely cause is that your cells are formatted as text. (Right click on the cell and "Format cells...")
If that's the case, and you change it. You may still need to tell Excel to "re-examine" the cells before it realizes that the cell is no longer text.

Easiest way to do that is Data Tab> "Text to Columns" and simply hit "Finish"
Hope that helps.

PS. As Dave said, if there's no "=" then it may take the formula as text but if there is an equal sign and there's something wrong with your formula (even if it's gibberish like = Moons/Sun * 3.14), you will get an error message so that is not the issue here.

**SandyMac6614** · 04-16-2013, 10:57 AM

Resolved!!!

I changed the cells from text to general format and now the formula works. I thought since I was using a minus sign to indicate ranges I would have to make the cells text, but evidently not, and that's why the formal wasn't working.

Thanks so much for everyone's help!!!