Convert a label to a formula

Hi

We would like to convert a text string into a formula using the find & replace tool.

For example cell A1 contains the text string '=sum(b2..c3).

How can we remove the apostophe at the front of the text string to make it into a formula? Our spreadsheet contains numerous cells to be converted, so we would like to automate this process using Find & Replace.

Thanks in advance

Peter